The Supreme Court of India, during a hearing on petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, raised pointed questions to the Central government, specifically regarding the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council. The bench asked whether a reciprocal arrangement—such as allowing Muslims to be part of Hindu religious boards—would be acceptable.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Vishwanathan, was hearing 73 petitions questioning the constitutional validity of the amended Waqf Act. The new legislation has been the subject of protests in various regions, mainly due to its redefined provisions, including the controversial concept of ‘Waqf by user’.

At the beginning of the session, the Chief Justice sought clarity from the petitioners on two fronts: whether the case should be sent to a High Court and what specific legal arguments they aimed to raise in the Supreme Court.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing one of the petitioners, argued that several provisions of the amended law infringe upon Article 26 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to manage one’s own religious affairs. He particularly criticized the extensive powers granted to the Collector under the new framework. According to Sibal, the Collector, being a government functionary, cannot also serve a quasi-judicial role, as it undermines the principle of separation of powers.

He also raised objections to the ‘Waqf by user’ provision—where a property may be declared as Waqf based solely on prolonged religious or charitable use, without formal documentation. While the amended Act now exempts disputed or government lands from being automatically classified as Waqf, the clause remains contentious.

The court’s query about the possible inclusion of Muslims on Hindu religious boards drew attention to what it called a lack of parity in religious governance. The top court hinted at the need for a balanced and non-discriminatory approach if religious representation is to be redefined through legislative changes.

The matter continues to evolve, with the Supreme Court yet to decide whether it will take up the entire batch of petitions or refer them to a High Court.

In a violent turn of events during an anti-encroachment drive, 21 police personnel sustained injuries and three police vehicles were damaged in Nashik’s Kathe Galli area late Tuesday night. The incident occurred when a mob resisted the demolition of the unauthorised Satpeer Baba Dargah, which was being removed in compliance with a Bombay High Court directive.

Police resort to teargas and lathi-charge to restore order

According to Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, the situation escalated when a large crowd assembled at Usmania Chowk to oppose the dargah’s removal. The trustees of the religious structure had already begun the process of dismantling the structure earlier that night, but the gathering quickly turned violent, with stone-pelting directed at police and community leaders attempting to calm the crowd.

To disperse the mob, police deployed mild force, including lathi-charge and teargas shells. Despite the violence, authorities brought the situation under control by early morning, and the dargah was successfully removed around 6 am on Wednesday.

15 detained, 57 motorcycles seized; FIR process underway

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kirankumar Chavan confirmed that 15 individuals have been detained in connection with the violence. Additionally, 57 motorcycles believed to belong to suspects have been seized. An FIR is being filed against those responsible for the attacks.

Nearly 50 municipal personnel from the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) participated in the demolition, aided by four excavators, six trucks, and two dumpers. Civic officials stated that the drive was a continuation of previous actions taken in February, during which several unauthorised structures around the dargah were removed.

Tensions over the site

The Satpeer Baba Dargah had been at the center of local controversy, with some residents and members of Hindu outfits previously demanding its removal, claiming it was an illegal structure. Nashik Central MLA Devyani Pharande had also raised concerns, stating that earlier demolition efforts were incomplete and that the site should be entirely cleared.

As of now, police officials report that the situation in the area remains peaceful and under control.

A political slugfest has erupted once again between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet naming Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the alleged money laundering case tied to the now-defunct National Herald newspaper. The BJP has termed the case a textbook example of “corporate conspiracy,” while the Congress has decried the move as an act of “political vendetta” by the Narendra Modi-led central government.

BJP questions Gandhi family’s property acquisition through Young India Ltd

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, addressing a press briefing, accused the Congress of orchestrating a corporate arrangement to transfer property into the Gandhi family’s hands. He highlighted that in 2008, after the National Herald ceased publication, the Congress gave ₹90 crore to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the newspaper’s publisher — a transaction he claims violates the norms as political parties are barred from funding private entities.

AJL reportedly failed to repay the loan, after which a non-profit entity, Young India Limited (YIL) — in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi each hold a 38% stake — acquired the company’s shares and, by extension, its properties across several Indian cities. Mr. Prasad questioned YIL’s charitable work and highlighted that a token amount of ₹50 lakh was paid to AJL before the remaining loan was written off.

“This is the Gandhi model of development,” Prasad said, alleging that the arrangement enabled the Gandhi family to take control of property worth thousands of crores.

BJP expands attack to Robert Vadra

The BJP leader also took aim at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband, Robert Vadra, citing alleged irregularities in land transactions. “Another member buys land for ₹3 crore and sells it for ₹58 crore. The country should learn from this Gandhi model,” he remarked sarcastically.

Congress fights back, terms case a political smokescreen

The Congress has launched protests across the country in response to the BJP’s remarks and the ED’s chargesheet. Senior leader Pawan Khera likened the current actions to pre-Independence times, stating, “Back then, the British hated National Herald, the Gandhi family and the Congress — today the RSS has taken that place.”

Calling the case baseless, Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, “There has been no exchange of funds or transfer of property rights. This case is politically motivated, and the Modi government is attempting to silence the voice of the Opposition.” He affirmed that the party has full faith in the judiciary and will fight the case legally.