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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Waqf law rules drafted, may be approved in 15-20 days: Officials
New Delhi The Union minority affairs ministry has drafted rules to operationalise the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 and sent it to the Union law ministry, officials told HT on Thursday, adding that the rules could be approved within 15-20 days, paving the way for their presentation in the upcoming monsoon session from July 21. The contentious amendments to the central waqf law, which aims to make sweeping changes in the regulation and management of Islamic charitable endowments, was cleared by Parliament in April. The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment on a raft of petitions asking for a stay on some of the law's controversial provisions. A senior minority affairs ministry official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the rules were drafted in 'record time' following the law's passage on April 4. 'We have recently sent it to the law ministry and solicitor general Tushar Mehta for final approval and finishing touches,' the official said. 'Once approved there, it goes to the Centre for final sign-off, then notification in the public gazette.' Former secretary general PDT Achary told HT that there is 'absolutely no rule and requirement for the government to first notify the parliament about the rules and then notify.' 'As soon as the rules are approved, they can be uploaded and publicly notified through the gazette and come into effect. The government has to table it in the Parliament but there is no rule about the rules being notified to the parliament first,' he said. Union Minister for minority affairs Kiren Rijiju separately confirmed that the rules are with the law ministry for finishing touches. A waqf is a Muslim religious endowment, usually in the form of landed property, made for purposes of charity and community welfare. The draft bill, introduced by the government last year and amended after recommendations by a joint parliamentary committee, proposed major changes in the regulation and governance of India's waqf boards. The law accords more power to the government and allows for the appointment of non-Muslims and women to waqf boards, but the Opposition alleged it is unconstitutional. The rules are crucial because they will not only operationalise the changes but also clarify key procedures in registration of waqf properties, working of the central portal, and norms guiding the picking of members in the council. The law scraps the waqf by user provision – where a property is acknowledged as waqf because it has been used for religious activities for some time, despite there being no official declaration or registration as waqf – with prospective effect, permits women, Shia sects and government officials to be members of waqf bodies, and gives overriding power to senior officials to determine if a government property belongs to a waqf. The law also allows only a person 'showing or demonstrating that he is practising Islam for at least five years' to donate properties to waqf and stipulates that women and other rightful heirs can't be denied their inheritance due to the creation of a waqf. The official cited above expressed confidence that the government will be able to push through the rules before the next session of Parliament. 'The process should take a few days. We hope the rules will be published within 15-20 days, in time for tabling in the monsoon session,' the official cited above said. 'It is a huge achievement... we did not think the process would be this seamless. We had good support from the states and completed the final rules drafting in record time.' Approximately 15-20 stakeholder consultations with states, other ministries, and groups occurred during the drafting process, the official said. 'Every single updated draft, no matter how minor the changes, was shared with the states for their views. Each state participated without exceptions,' the official added, requesting anonymity. In India, rules under a newly enacted law are notified by the relevant ministry through publication in the official gazette, exercising authority granted by specific provisions within the parent Act itself. The Waqf act also states it. While this core notification process isn't detailed in the Constitution, the crucial requirement for subsequent parliamentary scrutiny flows from it. Mandated by the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – framed under Articles 118(1) and 208(1) of the Constitution respectively, and reinforced by the Delegated Legislation Provisions (Amendment) Act, 1983 – these notified rules must be laid before both Houses of Parliament within 30 days, where they can be modified or annulled. The act states, 'Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.' Activists, opposition parties and bodies such as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have already challenged key provisions of the new law. On May 22, the top court reserved judgment on petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, after hearing arguments on an interim stay. The official quoted above clarified that the rules will provide 'finer operational details', particularly concerning the newly launched UMEED (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development) portal. The portal aims to create a centralised digital inventory with geo-tagging of all Waqf properties, establish an online grievance redressal system, enable transparent leasing and usage tracking, integrate with GIS mapping, and provide public access to verified records. Rules governing this portal will form a significant part of the final notified rules, the official said. This official said that incorporating the recommendations of the joint parliamentary committee, which examined an earlier iteration of the bill, received special attention during the drafting of rules. 'We want an all inclusive approach to it,' the official said. 'Even if the Supreme Court says something, we will just make the changes in the rules but since the act has been passed and received the President's assent, we will notify rules,' the official stated. Groundwork for implementing the new law has already commenced. The minority affairs ministry wrote to all chief secretaries last week, directing them to train district-level officers. These officers will subsequently train mutawallis (waqf property managers) and other officials involved. 'The biggest task for implementing the rules is capacity building so we have already started with the same,' the official explained. 'As a Union ministry, we can train state level officers but the states will in turn have to train district level officers... so they can be in a good position to implement the rules once notified.' Once the central rules are notified, the ministry's next task involves formulating model rules for states. A 4-5 member committee comprising retired law ministry officers and other experts has been tasked with creating these model rules, which states can then adapt according to their specific contexts.
Economic Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Supreme Court initiates contempt case against YouTuber Ajay Shukla for defamatory remarks on judges
The Supreme Court took action against journalist Ajay Shukla. This action was due to his video containing defamatory remarks. The remarks targeted several apex court judges. The court has ordered the video's removal. It also restricted republication of similar content. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the court's suo motu cognizance. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Supreme Court on Friday initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against Chandigarh-based journalist and YouTuber Ajay Shukla for his "scandalous", defamatory and contemptuous remarks against a few apex court judges in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Augustine George Masih and AS Chandurkar also directed that the offending video be immediately taken down and restrained the channel from republishing it or similar also issued a notice to Shukla, the Editor-in-Chief of Varprad General Tushar Mehta described the remarks as "very serious" and expressed his gratitude to the bench for taking up suo motu cognisance of the issue."Shukla in the said video clip has made scandalous observations about some of the senior judges of this court. Such scandalous allegations widely published on YouTube are likely to bring disrepute to this august institution of judiciary," the CJI bench said though the Constitution guarantees free speech , and expression but "such a right is restricted by reasonable restrictions and cannot be allowed to make defamatory allegations regarding judges of this court. The remarks which are contemptuous in nature bring disrepute to the institute of judiciary.""We direct the registry to register the case as a suo motu contempt against Ajay Shukla. The YouTube channel shall be made a party respondent. The Attorney General and the Solicitor General are requested to assist the court," it bench said by an interim order, it restrains the YouTube channel to stop publication of the video and forthwith take it recently posted a video making remarks against retired judge Justice Bela M Trivedi.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Supreme Court initiates contempt case against YouTuber Ajay Shukla for defamatory remarks on judges
The Supreme Court took action against journalist Ajay Shukla. This action was due to his video containing defamatory remarks. The remarks targeted several apex court judges. The court has ordered the video's removal. It also restricted republication of similar content. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the court's suo motu cognizance. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Supreme Court on Friday initiated suo motu contempt proceedings against Chandigarh-based journalist and YouTuber Ajay Shukla for his "scandalous", defamatory and contemptuous remarks against a few apex court judges in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices Augustine George Masih and AS Chandurkar also directed that the offending video be immediately taken down and restrained the channel from republishing it or similar also issued a notice to Shukla, the Editor-in-Chief of Varprad General Tushar Mehta described the remarks as "very serious" and expressed his gratitude to the bench for taking up suo motu cognisance of the issue."Shukla in the said video clip has made scandalous observations about some of the senior judges of this court. Such scandalous allegations widely published on YouTube are likely to bring disrepute to this august institution of judiciary," the CJI bench said though the Constitution guarantees free speech , and expression but "such a right is restricted by reasonable restrictions and cannot be allowed to make defamatory allegations regarding judges of this court. The remarks which are contemptuous in nature bring disrepute to the institute of judiciary.""We direct the registry to register the case as a suo motu contempt against Ajay Shukla. The YouTube channel shall be made a party respondent. The Attorney General and the Solicitor General are requested to assist the court," it bench said by an interim order, it restrains the YouTube channel to stop publication of the video and forthwith take it recently posted a video making remarks against retired judge Justice Bela M Trivedi.
India Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Re-tender or risk freeze: Supreme Court to Mumbai authority over L&T bid snub
The Supreme Court questioned the rejection of technical bids submitted by Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) for two major Mumbai infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 14,000 crore, and warned the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) it may pause the bidding process if a re-tender is not considered."The very name of the bidder, it's difficult to believe, he has been chosen to construct the Central Vista by the Central government," Chief Justice of India BR Gavai remarks came Monday during a hearing on L&T's plea challenging two Bombay High Court orders that upheld MMRDA's decision to disqualify its technical bids without disclosing reasons. The construction powerhouse was contesting the MMRDA's move to open financial bids for the Rs 6,000-crore Mumbai Elevated Road Project and the Rs 8,000 crore Road Tunnel Project, both part of a larger 15-km road extension initiative from Gaimukh in Thane to Bhayander.A two-judge bench led by the Chief Justice asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for MMRDA, to seek instructions from the Maharashtra government on whether the authority would be willing to re-tender the project."We don't want public interest to come in between," Chief Justice Gavai General Tushar Mehta said there were reasons L&T was deemed not technically qualified and noted the High Court had left the door open for future challenges after contract that thousands of crores of public money was tied to the project, the Chief Justice said, "Take instructions from State on whether you are willing to retender. Otherwise we will stay."L&T's counsel, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that "the question of money doesn't arise when you are disqualified."The court replied, "The question of money does arise when the issue of public interest is involved."Chief Justice Gavai stated, "You better take instructions. Public money would be saved.""We are in an era of transparency If something is arbitrary, the person must have a chance to challenge it," he matter is scheduled to be heard again on elevated road project would span 9.8 km across Vasai Creek, while the tunnel project involves 5-km-long twin tunnels under Thane's Ghodbunder Road — both integral to the Mumbai Coastal Road Watch
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SC seeks MMRDA say on re-bid for Thane-Bhayandar tunnel-road project after L&T questions lack of relief from HC
Supreme Court MUMBAI: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed surprise that MMRDA considered Larsen & Toubro (L&T) technically non-responsive for the Thane tunnel and elevated road projects, despite the construction major having constructed iconic large public infrastructure projects. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for MMRDA, to take instructions on whether the public authority was willing to re-tender. The court did not pass any orders on Monday but asked MMRDA to re-think its next steps, else it would pass interim orders on Thursday, pending the bidding process, on L&T's challenge. "The very name of the bidder (L&T)…" the CJI said, noting the firm was selected by the Centre to construct the Central Vista project when L&T's challenge against a May 20 Bombay HC vacation bench order came up. The company's counsel did not need to address the court. The SC bench, also comprising Justice A G Masih, posted the matter to Thursday while giving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) time to consider what it asked of it. The SC asked MMRDA to consult the Maharashtra govt on plans to re-tender the Rs 14,000 crore project for the Thane-Ghodbunder-Bhayandar twin tunnel and elevated road project, together stretching around 15-16 km, making it the second longest such project after the 21 km Atal Setu (which L&T, as the largest engineering company, helped build). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo The HC vacation bench dismissed L&T's pleas to stay the opening of financial or price bids for the project without informing it of the result of the technical bid round. The MMRDA said L&T and two other bidders out of five were held non-responsive, but it was not obliged under the tender terms to inform the bidders of the result during the bidding process and would do so once the final winning bidder was awarded the contract. L&T argued that PWD guidelines of the state required bidders to be informed of the technical rounds as well. MMRDA said it was not mandatory. The HC cited the public importance of the project, the delay that may ensue, and SC orders in the bullet train project, to not stay the opening of the price bids but asked MMRDA to keep all price bids sealed for two weeks to enable L&T to go in appeal. The HC said the company suppressed certain bid clauses when it came to court and stated the petitioner must come to court with full disclosure. Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas for L&T before the HC also argued that CVC guidelines on transparency and accountability were being flouted by MMRDA. However, the HC found 'much merit' in the submission of senior counsel AM Singhvi for L&T that the tender terms were contrary to the PWD and CVC guidelines. The HC observed the tender conditions to be prima facie 'opaque and such that could give rise to the tendering authority acting in an arbitrary and non-transparent manner.' But it noted that L&T accepted the terms and participated without challenging them as they should have. L&T rushed to the SC against the HC order, and now the SC will pass orders on Thursday based on what MMRDA comes back with.
