New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to list a plea seeking an extension of time for the mandatory registration of all Waqf properties, including Waqf-by-user lands, under the UMEED portal.
A bench headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai was approached by advocate Nizam Pasha, representing AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who argued that although the amended Waqf Act, 2025 provides a six-month window for registration, nearly five months have already elapsed since the court’s earlier judgment. “Only one month is left for registration,” Pasha noted, urging the court to consider an extension.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the courtroom for another matter, objected to the oral mentioning, stating that the request should first be communicated to the Centre. Responding briefly, the CJI said, “Let it be listed. Listing does not mean granting,” indicating that the court would formally hear the matter later.
In its September 15 interim order, the apex court had stayed select provisions of the new Waqf law, including the clause restricting the creation of a Waqf to those practising Islam for at least five years. However, the bench refused to stay the entire legislation, reiterating the presumption of constitutionality in the Centre’s favour.
The court also found that the government’s decision to delete the ‘Waqf-by-user’ provision from the amended Act was not arbitrary, rejecting claims that the move would enable governments to “grab” Waqf land.
The concept of Waqf by user refers to property recognised as religious or charitable based on long-standing, continuous public use, even without a formal written declaration by its owner.
The UMEED portal — short for Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development — was launched by the Centre on June 6, 2025, to create a digital inventory and geo-tagging system for all Waqf properties in India. Under its mandate, all such properties must be uploaded and registered within six months of the law’s implementation.
