Interim SC order curbing parts of Waqf Act likely

3-judge bench led by the CJI gives the govt additional day to present its case

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday stopped short of passing interim orders restricting certain sections of the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act from coming into play, giving the government a day more to present its case in detail.

A three-judge bench led by the Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna said it will pass interim orders on Thursday on various aspects, including the contentious "waqf by user" issue. The court said normally it does not pass interim orders, but would make an exception in the present case.

"Properties declared by courts as waqfs should not be de-notified, whether they are by waqf-by-user or deed waqf," the bench said.