New Delhi, April 16 – During the Supreme Court hearing on the Waqf (Amendment) Act on Tuesday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud questioned the central government on a key rule under the law. He asked how ancient religious structures, like 15th-century mosques, could possibly provide modern legal documents such as registered sale deeds.
The court was hearing petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which deals with the registration and management of religious properties belonging to the Muslim community.
The CJI pointed out that many of these mosques and religious sites are centuries old and would never have had sale deeds, which are now being asked for under the amended law. “How can a mosque built in the 1400s have a registered sale deed?” he asked.
He added that asking for such documents from historical religious places is “completely unrealistic.”
The Supreme Court was responding to concerns that the updated law makes it very difficult for religious institutions to register or protect their land if they don’t have modern paperwork.
The case is still being heard, and the Centre has been asked to explain how the rules can be applied fairly to both old and new properties.
Stay tuned for more updates from the courtroom.
