As of May 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of India has not issued a stay on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. However, the Court has directed the central government to maintain the status quo concerning waqf properties and appointments to Waqf Boards and Councils. This interim measure will remain in effect until the next hearing, scheduled for May 5, 2025.

Justice B.R. Gavai is set to assume the position of Chief Justice of India on May 14, 2025. It is anticipated that he will oversee further proceedings related to the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which received Presidential assent on April 5, 2025, has been challenged by several petitioners, including Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi. They argue that the amendments infringe upon the rights of the Muslim community to manage religious endowments and discriminate against Muslims by imposing restrictions not applicable to other religious communities.

During the hearings, the Supreme Court emphasized the need to preserve the current state of waqf properties and directed the government not to appoint non-Muslims to the Central Waqf Council or State Waqf Boards until further notice. The Court also instructed the government to refrain from de-notifying waqf properties declared under the 1995 Act.

The central government has been granted a period to file its response to the petitions, with the petitioners allowed to submit rejoinders thereafter. The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 5, 2025.Justice B.R. Gavai, who will become the 52nd Chief Justice of India, is expected to preside over subsequent hearings in this matter following his swearing-in on May 14, 2025.

Sources