Supreme Court hears challenges to Waqf Act, questions over faith, property rights raised | Latest Updates-OxBig News Network

The Supreme Court on Wednesday began hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The matter is being heard by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice KV Viswanathan. Several petitioners, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, were present in the CJI’s courtroom for the hearing. The bench said it would first examine two preliminary questions — whether the matter should be heard by the apex court or by the High Court, and what specific issues the petitioners intend to raise. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, opened his arguments by stating that the amendment seeks to intervene, through parliamentary legislation, in an essential and integral part of a faith. He further questioned a provision that requires a person to have practised Islam for five years to set up Waqf, asking how the state could determine someone’s religious identity and whether personal law would apply in such cases. Further hearings are expected to define the legal scope of the challenge and address the constitutional questions raised.