Supreme Court halts waqf appointments, 'waqf by user' changes till next hearing
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, including the controversial removal of the 'waqf by user' clause, until the next hearing scheduled for May 5. The court also directed that no appointments be made to Waqf Boards or the Central Waqf Council in the interim.
The decision came while hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the amended Waqf Act. Petitioners argued that the new law alters the fundamental character of waqf properties and religious administration.
The amended Act also introduced a change in the composition of Waqf Boards by mandating the inclusion of non-Muslim members—a provision that has attracted significant criticism from community leaders and religious bodies.
During the proceedings, the Centre assured the bench that it would refrain from making any appointments to the Waqf Boards or Council until further orders from the court.
The matter will now be taken up again by the Supreme Court on May 5.
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Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
