CJI Sanjiv Khanna to decide on listing pleas challenging Waqf (Amendment) Act

CJI Khanna said this to senior advocate Kapil Sibal who brought up the matter before the Supreme Court bench.

The CJI also informed Sibal that there is an existing system to request for listing and oral requests should be avoided.

Sibal responded saying he had sent an email to which the CJI said he will examine.

Multiple petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, which has irked the Opposition.

The Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), AIMIM have moved the Supreme Court challenging the petition.

The petitioners argue that the new law is discriminatory on the grounds of religion, and strips the Muslim community of the right to manage its religious institutions.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which states how Muslim charitable properties are governed, was cleared by Parliament after lengthy fiery debates in Parliament.

The opposition has called the bill "anti-Muslim" while those from the treasury benches hailed the "historic reform".

128 MPs backed the bill, and 95 voted against it in the Rajya Sabha.

The Lok Sabha (Indian Lower House) passed the bill last Wednesday after a debate that began around noon and continued till 1 am.

While moving the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the bill was aimed at providing transparency in the management of the Waqf properties.

He said the bill was not about religion but property and its management and aimed to remove corruption.

The Minister said the Muslim community has largely welcomed the bill.