The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party, led by Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, has approached the Supreme Court of India with an intervention application against the recently enacted Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. The party is seeking judicial scrutiny of the law’s constitutional validity, raising concerns over its impact on religious rights and autonomy.

The application has been filed under Order 1 Rule 8A of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, a provision that allows individuals or bodies with a direct and substantial interest in a matter of law to participate in proceedings before the apex court.

According to the Apni Party, the new amendments have diluted the original essence and purpose of Waqf institutions. These institutions, which have long managed religious endowments within the Muslim community, are now allegedly at risk of increased governmental control.

“The amendments violate the constitutional right of communities to manage their religious affairs under Article 26 of the Constitution,”
the petition submitted.

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The party emphasized that the legislation undermines the autonomy of Waqf bodies, which historically operated as independent custodians of religious and charitable assets. By giving greater authority to government officials, the new law is said to infringe on the spiritual and administrative freedoms of the Muslim community.

“This interference disturbs the foundational principle behind Waqf management, where the community plays a central role in overseeing religious endowments,”
the petitioners added.

The case will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice KV Viswanathan.

The matter is scheduled for hearing on April 16, 2025.