Waqf Act
No change in 'waqf by user' for now till next hearing: Supreme Court to Centre
New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Thursday granted a week to the central government to respond to the pleas challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act and asked for no change in "waqf by user" till the next hearing, media reports said.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sajiv Khanna, Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan noted the assurance from the Centre that Waqf including 'Waqf by user', which have been registered, will not be denotified or character changed.
The top court, which resumed the hearing at 2 pm on Thursday, has also asked the states and petitioners to file responses.
The next hearing will be held in the week beginning on May 5.
Hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the amended law, the apex court on Wednesday raised concern over the violence sparked during the protests.
It also questioned the Centre if Muslims would be included in the Hindu religious boards.
At the end, the judges raised three points, indicating their intention to pass an interim order, which would put some provisions of the amended law on hold.
The top court said it intended to maintain the status quo for all three procedures, on which the rules have been amended.
According to the judges, whatever property has been declared as Waqf by the user or declared by the court will not be notified.
Secondly, the Collector can continue the proceedings, but the provision will not be applicable. And third, while ex-officio members can be appointed regardless of religion, others should be Muslims, the judges said.
According to reports, 73 petitions against the Waqf Law were listed before the court.
The matter is being heard by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishawnathan.
The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed by parliament earlier this month after marathon debates in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
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