Waqf Act under Supreme Court scrutiny today; 72 petitions listed, 3-judge bench to hear case

Today, the Supreme Court is set to hear a significant batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act and its recent amendments. A total of 72 petitions have been officially listed, with reports indicating that the number has now reached around 150, as the court allows additional filings to be considered. The hearing will begin at 2 PM before a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, alongside Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan.The petitions opposing the Act claim that it discriminates against Muslims and violates constitutional rights, including Articles 14 (equality), 25–26 (religious freedom), 30 (minority institution rights), and 300A (right to property). Critics argue that the amendments unjustly increase government control over Muslim religious properties.In contrast, 15 applications—including from BJP-ruled state governments, tribal organizations, and Hindu groups—support the Act. They argue that the law now ensures transparency, prevents misuse of waqf claims on public or tribal lands, and provides legal recourse for affected parties.The Centre has also filed a caveat, asking the Court not to pass any order without hearing its stance.