Waqf (Amendment) Bill becomes law with President's assent after passing both Houses

Punjab First News · 5 April 2025, 11:30 PM

The empty Lok Sabha chamber in the new Parliament building — The Lok Sabha chamber in the new Parliament building (file photo) (Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs / Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India)

President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on Saturday, April 5, turning it into law.

The Lok Sabha passed the bill on April 3 by 288 votes to 232. The Rajya Sabha approved it the next day, with 128 members voting in favour and 95 against.

The government says the new law will reform the management of waqf properties, bring more transparency and give greater representation to different Muslim sects.

Under the law, an officer above the rank of collector will investigate government properties that are claimed as waqf.

The opposition fought the bill in both Houses. Petitions challenging the law have been filed in the Supreme Court, including one by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.