**Supreme Court to Hear Waqf Law Challenges on Tuesday**
In a significant hearing, the Supreme Court is scheduled to address petitions contesting the Waqf law on Tuesday, with a focus on potentially issuing an interim stay on certain provisions. This marks the first time a two-judge bench, consisting of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, will deliberate on the matter. During the previous hearing, it was determined that only five prominent petitions would be considered from the numerous submissions regarding the law, which enhances the government’s authority over Waqf properties.
A three-judge bench led by former Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna had previously allocated two hours for each side to present their arguments. Advocates representing the Muslim community, including Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Rajiv Dhawan, Salman Khurshid, and Huzaifa Ahmadi, will argue against the law. Ejaz Maqbool will serve as the lead counsel for the petitioners challenging the Waqf law. On the opposing side, senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi, Maninder Singh, Ranjit Kumar, Ravindra Srivastava, and Gopal Shankar Narayan are expected to support the law, with Vishnu Shankar Jain acting as their lead counsel.
To date, the Supreme Court has refrained from issuing any interim directives following the Centre’s suspension of two critical aspects of the Waqf law. The Centre has committed to not denotify Waqf properties, including those recognized through the ‘waqf by user’ provision, and has paused appointments to the Central Waqf Council and state boards. The ‘waqf by user’ clause allows properties to be classified as Waqf based on their long-term use for religious and charitable purposes, even in the absence of formal documentation.
**Key Issues Under Review**
During the last hearing on May 15, the Supreme Court indicated it would consider interim orders on three primary issues. The first issue involves the authority to denotify properties designated as Waqf by courts and those classified as ‘waqf by user.’ The second contentious point pertains to the composition of state waqf boards and the Central Waqf Council, with petitioners opposing the inclusion of non-Muslim members in these bodies. The third issue addresses a provision stating that a property will not be recognized as Waqf if the district collector investigates to determine whether the property is government land.
As the hearing approaches, the implications of the Supreme Court’s decisions on the Waqf law could significantly impact the management and regulation of Waqf properties across the country.
**FAQ**
**What is the Waqf law?**
The Waqf law governs the management and regulation of Waqf properties, which are assets dedicated for religious and charitable purposes in Islam.
