Latest news with #WaqfAct1995
India.com
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, states on plea challenging 1995 Waqf Act
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Centre and state governments on a plea challenging the Constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, as amended by the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih tagged the plea along with pending petitions challenging the 1995 Waqf Act. The apex court was hearing the petition filed by one Nikhil Upadhyay challenging the 1995 Act. During the hearing, the bench asked advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, appearing for the petitioner, as to why he was challenging 1995 Act in 2025. Upadhyay responded that he was also challenging 2013 Waqf Amendment Act. To this, CJI said, 'Even then, 2013 to 2025. 12 years. There is delay.' Supreme Court is already hearing petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act 1991 and the National Minority Commission Act 1992, advocate submitted. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, told the bench that the court has not allowed the challenge to the 1995 Act to be heard along with the petitions challenging the 2025 Amendment. However, there is no objection to this fresh petition being tagged along with the other petition challenging the 1995 Act. The petition submitted that only Muslims have a law relating to the administration of their charitable properties, and other religions do not have a similar law; hence, the Waqf Act 1995 was discriminatory. The petition challenged the constitutional validity of certain sections of the Waqf Act 1995 as amended by the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, contending that these provisions are against Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, and 27 of the Constitution. The petitioner further stated that the state cannot grant, at the cost of the public exchequer, the expenses incurred for the verification of Waqfs and their properties, while there is no similar exercise nor a grant of expenses for the survey of other religious institutions and their properties. 'The cost of the survey for the verification of Waqf and its properties must not be borne by the state. There should be a Common or Uniform Law for Religious Trusts and Endowments,' the petition added.
India Gazette
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
SC issues notice to Centre, states on plea challenging 1995 Waqf Act
New Delhi [India], May 27 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Centre and state governments on a plea challenging the Constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, as amended by the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih tagged the plea along with pending petitions challenging the 1995 Waqf Act. The apex court was hearing the petition filed by one Nikhil Upadhyay challenging the 1995 Act. During the hearing, the bench asked advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, appearing for the petitioner, as to why he was challenging 1995 Act in 2025. Upadhyay responded that he was also challenging 2013 Waqf Amendment Act. To this, CJI said, 'Even then, 2013 to 2025. 12 years. There is delay.' Supreme Court is already hearing petitions challenging the Places of Worship Act 1991 and the National Minority Commission Act 1992, advocate submitted. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, told the bench that the court has not allowed the challenge to the 1995 Act to be heard along with the petitions challenging the 2025 Amendment. However, there is no objection to this fresh petition being tagged along with the other petition challenging the 1995 Act. The petition submitted that only Muslims have a law relating to the administration of their charitable properties, and other religions do not have a similar law; hence, the Waqf Act 1995 was discriminatory. The petition challenged the constitutional validity of certain sections of the Waqf Act 1995 as amended by the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, contending that these provisions are against Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, and 27 of the Constitution. The petitioner further stated that the state cannot grant, at the cost of the public exchequer, the expenses incurred for the verification of Waqfs and their properties, while there is no similar exercise nor a grant of expenses for the survey of other religious institutions and their properties. 'The cost of the survey for the verification of Waqf and its properties must not be borne by the state. There should be a Common or Uniform Law for Religious Trusts and Endowments,' the petition added. (ANI)
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 aims to improve transparency: Muslim Rashtriya Manch Punjab convener
Ludhiana: The convener of Muslim Rashtriya Manch Punjab , Himachal, and Chandigarh, K D Himachali, during a press conference on Saturday, supported the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 and enumerated its merits. He said the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 aims to update the Waqf Act 1995 to address the problems in the management of waqf properties. The proposed changes focus on certain issues, such as removing the deficiencies of the previous act and enhancing the efficiency of Waqf Boards, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records, he added. The Muslim Waqf (Repeal) Bill 2025 aims to repeal the archaic Muslim Waqf Act 1923, which is no longer applicable to modern India. The repeal will ensure uniform rules for the management of waqf properties under the Waqf Act 1995. It will improve transparency and accountability in waqf management and eliminate confusion and legal contradictions caused by the old law, he said. He said by addressing long-standing issues such as litigation and lack of judicial monitoring, the bill seeks to create a more structured and accountable framework. The major changes include redefining what constitutes a waqf, improving the survey and registration process, empowering govt monitoring, and ensuring inclusiveness by including non-Muslim members and women in waqf-related bodies. These provisions are an important step towards modernising waqf property management in India, he claimed. On this occasion, Muslim National Forum regional co-convenor Sabir Hussain, Punjab state co-convenor Gulzar Khan, Mahmood Salmani, Noor Alam, and Rehman were present. MSID:: 120646634 413 |
