Petitions challenging Waqf Act to be heard next week

New Delhi: Observing that the petitions challenging the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act would entail a detailed hearing, even for passing any interim direction(s), a three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, on Monday listed the matter before a bench headed by Justice BR Gavai.

Khanna is to demit office on May 13 and the matter will be taken up by a bench headed by Khanna's successor, Justice BR Gavai, next week.

Passing the order, CJI Khanna said he does not wish to reserve any judgement or order even in the interim stage.


"We have gone through the counter and rejoinder. Yes, some points have been raised on registration and some figures are disputed by the petitioners. It needs to be dealt with. There are two things which we have to point out. I do not want to reserve any judgement or order even in the interim stage. This matter has to be heard on any reasonable day. It will not be before me," the Bench, comprising Justices Khanna, PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, said.