Waqf Amendment Act SC Hearing: The Supreme Court on Thursday, hearing the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, said that there should be no new appointments in central waqf councils and boards till the next hearing in the matter, which will take place on May 5 at 2 pm. This came after the Centre sought a week to file its response along with relevant documents and assured the court that non-Muslims will not be appointed to Central Waqf Councils and State Waqf Boards.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, also assured the court that Waqfs, including waqf-by-user, whether declared by way of notification or registration, will not be de-notified till the next date of hearing. The court further said that the petitioners can file their rejoinder to the Centre's reply within 5 days, post which it will list the matter for interim orders.

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A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan also recorded the assurance of the Solicitor General.

"During the course of the hearing, Solicitor General states that the Union would like to put a response within 7 days. He further assures the Court that no appointments will be made to the Council and the Board under Sections 9 and 14. Till the next date of hearing, Waqf, including Waqf by user, already registered or declared by way of notification, shall neither be de-notified or the Collector will change. We take the statement on record," the court said.

The Supreme Court stated that it had earlier noted some aspects of the legislation as positive and reiterated that there can be no complete stay of the Act at this stage. The court also said that it does not want the current status to be altered while the matter is under its consideration.

The bench reiterated that the objective is to maintain the existing situation without changes while the matter remains under judicial review.

Earlier on Wednesday, following a two-hour-long hearing, the apex court indicated that it may stay certain key provisions of the Act, including the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards, powers of Collectors on deciding disputes over Waqf properties and provisions on de-notifying properties declared as Waqf by courts.

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The top court was about to dictate the order, but Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, and other counsels who were appearing for parties defending the Act said they should be heard before passing the interim order.