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Home > Cases > Constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 > Constitutionality of Waqf Amendment Act | Day 2: No new appointments to Boards or Council till next hearing, Union assures SC

Constitutionality of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Today, a Bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna with Justices P.V. Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan granted the Union government seven days to file its response in the challenges to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The Court also modified the case title to In re: Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025.

Even as the Court stated that it would not grant an interim stay on the 2025 Act, it recorded the Union’s assurance that no new appointments would be made to the Waqf Council or any State Waqf Boards until the next hearing. It further directed that the status of properties recognised as waqf by user would not be altered in the meantime.

Yesterday, the Court had contemplated granting interim reliefs in the case, but had refrained from passing the orders. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, leading the arguments on the petitioners’ side, had contended that the 2025 amendments violated the constitutional right of religious minorities to manage their own affairs.

As soon as the Bench assembled, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta addressed the judges. He submitted that it was essential that the Court consider the historical evolution of the Waqf law since 1923 before contemplating an interim stay on the new Amendment Act.

“We will have to take you through history,” Mehta stated, and insisted that to answer the questions in the case, the Court will need assistance. He reiterated that the 2025 Amendment Act was passed after a lot of deliberation and consideration.

CJI Khanna stated that they would not stay the Act at this stage, but clarified that while the case is pending before the Court, the situation must not change in a way that the rights of the parties are impacted. He expressed concern that appointing new members to the Waqf Boards and Council, during the pendency of the case, could create complications.

Mehta promptly assured the Bench that no new members would be appointed to any Waqf Boards or Council until the next hearing. “My reading of the provision is that nothing can happen within a week even if the government wants it to,” he said. Mehta further informed the Bench that if any appointments were made during this time, they could be declared void.

The other big question in the case concerns the fate of waqf by user properties— those long used for religious or charitable purposes without formal deeds. The 2025 Act abolishes this recognition for future waqf properties.

Today, the Bench directed that no such properties would be “denotified” before the second hearing. This included those that were declared or registered. Mehta, reiterated his argument from yesterday that, according to the law, even a waqf by user had to be “registered” since 1923. The petitioners protested, stating that several old waqf by user properties lacked registration.

Currently, nearly 100 petitions have been filed in this case. To bring order to the chaos in the proceedings, the Court not only renamed the case, but also directed both sides to appoint nodal counsel responsible for compiling documents and filings.

Mehta informed the Court that Advocate Kanu Aggarwal would be the nodal counsel for the respondents. On the petitioners’ side, Advocate Vikas Jain was appointed.

The Bench also clarified that it would hear arguments from only five counsels for the petitioners. The Bench also said that the petition challenging the Waqf Act of 1995 and its 2013 amendments would be heard separately.

The case is scheduled to be heard next in the week, commencing from 5 May 2025.

For the first time in club history, Philadelphia Union are 3-0, and they have a chance to extend that win streak at Subaru park on Sunday, March 16th against Nashville SC.

"I think there's growing hunger, growing appetite, and ambition," Head Coach Bradley Carnell said in his Friday press conference.

"This group's got a level head about them, a very business mind-like attitude. It's very positive around the camp at the moment, and the boys are full of energy and full of fun right now. Winning helps do that."

The match marks the side from Music City's first visit to the Delaware Riverfront since BJ Callaghan took over as their new Head Coach last summer, and while they haven't fared quite as well as the Union have under new leadership, they've created some momentum as of late.

Nashville started their season starting the year with a draw against New England and a loss to New York Red Bulls, but last week, Nashville earned their first win of the season against Portland Timbers, finishing with a 2-0 scoreline by way of a pair of goals came from two of their newest signings in 31-year-old right back Andy Najar and 21-year-old Swedish midfielder Ahmed Qasem.

“They have really good breakaway players, and they've been getting better with every game. I've been following their team for quite a while now, and their new acquisitions have really hit the ground running, and they're a real threat to be to be reckoned with,” Carnell said.

Though Nashville’s offseason additions have been the difference makers on the scoreboard, Carnell’s brief scouting report during his pressser focused on team veterans like Hany Muhktar, Sam Surridge, and Walker Zimmerman.

“I just think them in transitional space is really dangerous. I think when [Hany] Muhktar gets on the ball and he's able to turn and now face you and challenge you, running at your back line, he has the ability to go on a dribble and find the final pass. I think [Surridge] always gets in and around the box. He always finds space in the box and gets shots off. So, limiting time and space, especially in transition,” Carnell said.

“Set pieces as well. I think that's a big one. We've all seen Walker Zimmerman, and over the years, he’s been really dangerous at set pieces. That's going to be a tough challenge for us on that day too.”

Philadelphia Union have scored 10 goals to Nashville’s two, with five different players hitting the back of the net since the start of the season. Carnell’s used the same first xi for three straight games, but the lineup for the match ahead is an important one in particular because it precedes an international window that'll leave the Union without some starters due to multiple call-ups.

In his press conference, Carnell commented on what that means for his side as they prepare for rotation in the weeks to come.

“The assessment started already through preseason, and then we got a starting group out there. But that's not to say that the other group isn't ready. We've been playing scrimmages behind closed doors. We've been challenging each other. We've been getting guys Union II minutes. So, I do feel that we're in a good space here with the guys that do leave, but then in a great space with players who will step up to the plate.”

It all goes down on Sunday afternoon – to see the Boys in Blue in action, click here for tickets!

Already one of North Carolina's largest credit unions, Winston-Salem's Truliant continues expansion in neighboring states.

Truliant Federal Credit Union of Winston-Salem has opened its sixth branch in upstate South Carolina, its first in Spartanburg County on the Interstate 85 corridor.

The 3,206-square-foot branch is at 2241 Boiling Springs Road. Truliant says it’s part of the credit union’s strategic expansion along I-85, which links the Piedmont Triad to Atlanta through upstate South Carolina.

In January it opened a branch in Mauldin in Greenville County, S.C. It has two branches and a regional office in Greenville, and branches in Easley and Greer.

The new branch has an open floor plan, children’s station and a staff that includes Spanish-speaking employees.

The location is about 30 miles from a community with the same name in North Carolina between Gastonia and Hendersonville that is home to Gardner-Webb University.

Truliant's South Carolina cluster is among its three concentrations: its hometown of Winston-Salem and the surrounding Triad; the Charlotte metro area; and southwest Virginia.

The credit union has about 35 branches in all and about 340,000 members and $5 billion in assets. Truliant is the largest credit union in the Triad and the region's third largest mortgage lender. It is ranked by the National Credit Union Association as North Carolina's third largest institution after the State Employees Credit Union and Coastal Federal.

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A South Carolina credit union is returning to one of the state’s poorest counties with a new branch to open by year’s end.

SRP Federal Credit Union of North Augusta, S.C. ($1.8 billion in assets, 194,166 members) announced March 3 that it has begun construction of a new branch in Allendale, 56 miles southeast of North Augusta and the seat of Allendale County.

Josh Rhoden, the credit union’s marketing and communications manager, said the previous Allendale branch was closed nine years ago because of market conditions.

“The decision to close our Allendale Branch was not made lightly,” Rhoden said.

“Since then, we have closely monitored the needs of the Allendale community and have seen a renewed demand for in-person banking services in the area.

“Based on this, we are excited to return with a new branch, designed to offer modern conveniences while maintaining the personalized service our members expect,” Rhoden said. “This decision reflects our long-term commitment to investing in the communities we serve and ensuring that our members have access to the financial tools and support they need.”

At a groundbreaking ceremony for the new branch, SRP President/CEO Eric Jenkins thanked government leaders for their help.

“Today, we are not just breaking ground on a new building,” Jenkins said. “We’re laying the foundation for stronger financial futures and enhanced opportunities for all members of this community.”

Currently, there are no credit union branches in the rural county and only one bank branch: Palmetto State Bank of neighboring Hampton County has had a branch in the county since 2007.

NCUA records showed SRP had 20 branches plus its headquarters across Georgia and South Carolina on Sept. 30, unchanged from a year earlier. This expansion will bring SRP’s total number of branches to 21.

Two other credit unions also announced plans for a new and a remodeled branch in South Carolina.

Founders Federal Credit Union of Lancaster, S.C. ($4.8 billion in assets, 271,061 members) announced Feb. 27 that it plans to open new branch this fall in York, just south of Charlotte. It followed a Feb. 19 announcement that it plans to open a new branch in May in Columbia, S.C., in the center of the state.

SAFE Federal Credit Union of Sumter, S.C. ($1.9 billion in assets, 145,254 members) announced Feb. 28 that it has begun construction on a new building to replace a branch in Sumter, 40 miles east of Columbia. The current 2,600-square-foot branch built in 1989 will be replaced by year’s end with a 4,800-square-foot facility with expanded member amenities and upgraded technology.

“Branch renovations are part of SAFE’s ongoing commitment to provide our members with the best banking experience possible,” President/CEO Michael Baker said. “This new facility’s improved access, modern technology, and more spacious design will offer extra convenience to members seeking branch services in the Sumter area.”

SAFE had 21 branches on Sept. 30, one more than a year earlier.

In other branch news:

“The Juneau Financial Center is a major milestone for the credit union in our state’s capital,” President/CEO Geoff Lundfelt said. “We are on an ever-evolving mission to make financial services as convenient as possible for Global members. This center provides modern amenities and access to more services in a centralized location.”

The credit union had 78 branches on Sept. 30, one more than a year earlier.

Contact Jim DuPlessis at JDuPlessis@cutimes.com.

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PACOLET, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - A power management company is making the largest investment in Union County’s history. In February, Eaton announced its $340 million plans to grow operations in South Carolina.

County leaders say it’s a catalyst for growth and development.

Born and raised in Union County, Rebecca Rochester now runs the friends of the library recycled bookstore on Main.

“I can assure you union county residents read,” she said, shuffling through the bookshelves. “They bring the books that they have read and then they just get boxes of books to take out with them when they leave.”

Even though downtown now isn’t as busy as it once was, she keeps busy, and like many others is ready for more.

“We want to continue to have folk come and enjoy being on Main Street. We have merchants that are anxious for us to grow,” she said.

This new project might be the spark they’ve been waiting for.

“$340 million is a lot in the state of South Carolina, but it is Union County’s largest announcement to date,” said County Supervisor Phillip Russell.

Eaton will open its new electrical transformer facility off Highway 176, just outside Pacolet and Jonesville.

Russell says the 700 jobs coming with it are just what the county needs.

“It’s all about jobs. If people have jobs, they’ll buy houses. If people buy houses. The commercial entities will come, the retail establishments, the restaurants, those things will come,” he said.

Eaton’s new home was previously leased as a Disney plant, then a Belk distribution center. Russell says even though those companies have come and gone, Eaton has decided to buy the facility.

“Which means they’re going to be here. Not only that, the agreement that they signed is basically a 40-year agreement,” he explained.

Since losing the textile industry in the early 2000’s, Union has fallen behind other upstate counties when it comes to growth. But over the last few years they’ve welcomed some new businesses and hundreds of new homes.

“This announcement is only going to add to that we’ve already had,” Russell said.

But keeping the small-town character is top of mind.

“We know that that small town feel can still be part of a growing a progressive community, because that’s what I grew up with. So I know it’s possible,” said Rochester.

Site work on the Eaton facility starts in the next few weeks. it’s expected to open in early 2027.

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