SC defers pleas on Waqf Act to May 15

way2barak, May 6: The Supreme Court on Monday said the batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act will be heard by Chief Justice of India-designate Justice B R Gavai on May 15.

The incumbent CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13, said that he would not want to reserve judgment or an interim order on the matter as certain aspects of the law needed clarification.

“There are certain aspects which you (Centre) dealt with, but that require clarification. I do not want to reserve any judgment or order at this interim stage. This matter will have to be heard on a reasonably early date and this will not be before me,” CJI Khanna said.

The pleas were heard by a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, apart from the CJI.

During the course of the hearing, the top court said that the Centre has raised some points on registration of wakf properties which would require a detailed hearing by the court.

“We have not very deeply gone into the counter affidavit (of the Centre). Yes, you have raised certain points in regards to registration (of Waqf properties) and have given some disputed figures, that will require some consideration,” the CJI said.