• The Indian government has temporarily suspended key provisions of the 2025 Waqf Act following concerns raised by the Supreme Court.
• This includes a halt to appointments to Waqf Boards and changes to the status of waqfs, including 'waqf-by-user' properties, until May 5th.
• The Solicitor General assured the court that no appointments would be made to the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards until the next hearing, and any state appointments would be considered void.
• The Supreme Court's concerns centered around provisions related to waqf-by-user properties, the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards, and the Collector's powers regarding disputed waqf lands.
• The government requested a week to file an affidavit explaining its position before the court issues an interim order, with the court emphasizing that the goal is to maintain the status quo until the matter is fully addressed.
• The Solicitor General argued against an immediate stay, citing the extensive history of the legislation and the numerous representations received by the government, emphasizing the potential impact on numerous individuals' land and property rights.
• The Supreme Court will hold a preliminary hearing on May 5th to consider interim orders, with five petitions selected as lead cases to guide the court's decision-making process.