New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has refused to extend the six-month deadline for uploading Waqf property details on the Umeed Portal. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih emphasized that applicants may approach Waqf Tribunals for relief on a case-by-case basis before the cut-off date.
The Umeed Portal, launched on June 6, aims to create a digital inventory of all Waqf properties across India by geo-tagging and uploading relevant details. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the six-month timeframe is insufficient, particularly for historic Waqfs over a century old, where details about the Waqif are unclear. He warned that nearly 10 lakh muttawallis, or property caretakers, would face an undue burden if required to file individual extension applications.
For the government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that the Waqf Act allows individual Waqf bodies to seek extensions from the tribunals. The Supreme Court noted that any technical or administrative difficulties could be considered by the tribunals but declined to alter the statutory deadline.
The court also addressed previous challenges to the amended Waqf Act, including provisions on creating Waqfs and resolving property disputes. While some clauses remain stayed, the registration mandate continues in force, with the final deadline set for December 6, 2025.
