National News: The hearing on more than 70 petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 began in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The important case is being heard by a three -member bench headed by Chief Justice Justice Sanjeev Khanna. On behalf of the petitioners, senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Rajiv Dhawan, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and C.U. Many other advocates including Singh appeared. At the same time, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta presented the side on behalf of the central government.
The petitions states that the Act violates Articles 14, 15, 21, 25 and 26 of the Constitution and affects religious freedom and fundamental rights. The Muslim side demanded interim relief from the court, but the central government first expressed the need for a complete hearing. The court did not issue any order on this, although it indicated that the next hearing would be held at 2 pm on Thursday, where an interim order can be passed.
CJI: Where will 'Bio User' Waqf's documents be brought?The Supreme Court raised many important questions during the hearing that lasted for about two hours. CJI Sanjeev Khanna asked the Solicitor General, "How will the properties that have been in use as 'Bio user' for years will be recorded as Waqf? What documents will they have? This creates a possibility of misuse. If you invite them, it can cause dispute."
When SG Mehta said that a trust can be made instead of Waqf, CJI said, "You cannot write history again."
'So can this bench not even hear?' - Hot debateDuring the hearing, the atmosphere was hot when the CJI questioned the membership of the Waqf Board, saying, "Eight members on the board are Muslims, two ex-officio are non-Muslims. Can other members be non-Muslim?" On this, the Solicitor General took a sarcasm and said, "So can not this bench also hear the matter?"
On this, CJI gave a sharp reply saying, "What? When we sit on the chair of justice, we forget our religion. Both sides are the same for us. How can you compare the judges with it?"
Court expressed concern over violenceThe court, expressing concern over the alleged violent incidents against the Waqf Act, clearly stated that no violence can be accepted.