New Delhi: The Supreme Court was assured by the central government on Thursday that there would be no fresh appointments to Waqf boards or changes in the status of Waqf properties until the next hearing of petitions challenging recent amendments to Waqf laws.
The court was also informed that the existing status of Waqf properties, including those under the contentious ‘waqf by user’ clause — which allows claims without documentation if the property is used for religious or charitable purposes — will remain unchanged until further orders.
“We are not saying all ‘waqf by user’ is wrong… but there is concern,” the bench observed.
The assurance came as the court raised concerns over provisions in the new law mandating non-Muslim members on Waqf boards, a move criticized by many within the community. Under the amended law, Muslim representation is capped at eight members on the Central Waqf Council and four on State Waqf Boards — from a total of 22 and 11 members, respectively.
Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna questioned the Solicitor General, asking whether Muslims would similarly be allowed on Hindu endowment boards.
The court agreed to limit proceedings to five key writ petitions out of hundreds filed, stating that the rest will be treated as disposed of. The government has been given a week to file its response, after which the petitioners will have five days to file counter-responses.