Context:
The Supreme Court, led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna, recorded the Union government’s assurance that:
- All Waqf properties, including Waqf-by-user, will not be de-notified or undergo any change in character.
- This status will continue until the next hearing on May 5, 2025.
Freeze on Waqf Appointments
- The Centre also assured that no appointments would be made to:
- The Central Waqf Council,
- State Waqf Boards, and
- The Delhi Waqf Board.
- This hold applies to appointments under the amended Sections 9 and 14 of the Waqf Act, 1995, which were changed through the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 to allow non-Muslim members on these bodies.
Supreme Court’s Balanced Approach
- The CJI acknowledged both:
- Infirmities in Waqf administration, and
- Positive aspects of the 2025 amendments.
- However, the court emphasized avoiding any drastic changes that could adversely impact communities.
