Srinagar, Apr 11: Jammu Kashmir National Conference and J&K Apni Party on Friday challenged the Waqf Amendment Act in the Supreme Court.
National Conference said its three legislators Arjun Singh Raju, Reyaz Ahmad Khan and Hilal Akbar Lone filed a writ petition today seeking justice.
The writ petition has been filed under Article 32 of Constitution of India.
“On the directions of Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and in the interest of the minorities of India, JKNC has challenged the Waqf Amendment Act in the Supreme Court. Our MLAs @arjunsinghraju, @AdvReyazkhan & Hilal Lone have filed a writ petition today seeking justice,” the party said in a statement.
The ruling NC has faced a flak over the last week from the Opposition for not allowing discussion on the Waqf Act in the J&K Assembly and also rolling out a “red carpet welcome” to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who moved the Waqf Amendment Bill in parliament. However, both chief minister Omar Abdullah and Rijiju termed it just a “chance meeting”.
NC arch rival PDP has also announced to knock the Supreme Court over Waqf Act. Already, Kashmir based Apni Party on Thursday submitted an intervention application in the case challenging the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party has approached the Supreme Court, by virtue of an intervention application, challenging the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. The party under the leadership of Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, has urged the court to examine the constitutional validity of the law.
The said application is filed under Order 1 Rule 8A of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 which empowers the court to permit a person or body of persons to participate in proceedings when they have a direct and substantial interest in a question of law raised before the court.
It is submitted by the petitioners that the new amendments undermine the very spirit of Waqf institutions that have traditionally managed and protected the religious endowments within the Muslim community.
It is also submitted that the amended law changes the original meaning and purpose of Waqf institutions. It also gives more control to government authorities, which directly infringes upon the right to manage religious affairs and violates fundamental rights under Article 26.
A bench comprising CJI Sanijv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice KV Viswanathan will hear the matters on April 16.
