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Supreme Court's 9-Judge Bench to Hear Landmark Sabarimala Review from April 7

The Supreme Court has formally notified a nine-judge Constitution Bench, headed by CJI Surya Kant, to commence hearings on the Sabarimala review petitions from April 7. The bench will re-examine the 2018 judgment allowing women of all ages into the temple and will also address broader constitutional questions on religious freedom affecting other communities. A detailed schedule has been set, with arguments from both sides to be heard through late April. The Centre has expressed support for the review, while the temple board has advocated for a "community-centric" approach to religious practices.

Key Points: SC 9-Judge Bench to Hear Sabarimala Review, Key Religious Issues

  • 9-judge bench to hear Sabarimala review
  • Broader religious freedom issues included
  • Schedule set for arguments from April 7
  • Centre supports review petitions
2 min read

SC notifies 9-judge Bench to hear Sabarimala review from April 7

Supreme Court's 9-judge Constitution Bench to hear Sabarimala review from April 7, examining women's entry & broader religious freedom questions.

"community-centric understanding of religion - Travancore Devaswom Board"

New Delhi, April 4

The Supreme Court has formally notified the constitution of a nine-judge Constitution Bench, which will commence hearing from April 7 in the long-pending Sabarimala review matter.

As per the cause list published for April 7 on the official website of the apex court, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant will hear the reference arising out of review petitions filed against its September 2018 judgment permitting entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, along with connected issues that raise significant questions on religious freedoms.

The proceedings before the nine-judge bench, which also comprises Justices B.V. Nagarathna, M.M. Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, A.G. Masih, Prasanna B. Varale, R. Mahadevan, and Joymalya Bagchi, are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Chief Justice's court at the Supreme Court.

Apart from the Sabarimala issue, the top court is also expected to examine broader constitutional questions relating to the scope of religious freedom under Article 25, including the entry of Muslim women into mosques and dargahs, the rights of Parsi women to access fire temples after interfaith marriage, the validity of excommunication practices, and the legality of female genital mutilation in the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Earlier, the CJI Surya Kant-led bench had fixed a detailed schedule for the hearing and clarified that the maintainability of the reference is conclusively settled. It also identified seven substantial questions of law for adjudication.

As per the schedule, arguments by parties supporting the review petitions will be heard from April 7 to April 9, followed by submissions from those opposing the review between April 14 and April 16.

Rejoinder submissions, if any, will be taken up on April 21, with final arguments by the amicus curiae expected to conclude on April 22.

The top court had directed all parties to file written submissions in advance and emphasised strict adherence to timelines, observing that Constitution Bench matters are of paramount importance.

In the run-up to the hearings, written submissions filed on behalf of the Travancore Devaswom Board have urged the apex court to adopt a "community-centric" understanding of religion, arguing that courts should refrain from reinterpreting faith-based practices and questioning the continued application of the "essential religious practices" doctrine.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the Centre's second-highest law officer, informed the apex court that the Union government supports the review petitions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally, the broader questions are being addressed together! It's not just about Sabarimala. The rights of Muslim and Parsi women, and the horrific practice of FGM, all need examination under Article 25. This is about gender justice across religions. A crucial step.
R
Rohit P
The Travancore Devaswom Board's point about a "community-centric" understanding is key. What looks like discrimination from outside is deep faith for believers. Courts should be very careful before intervening in age-old customs. The Centre supporting the review is the right call.
S
Sarah B
Watching from abroad, this is fascinating. The court is tackling so many interconnected issues at once. The schedule seems tight though—can such complex matters be given due thought in just a few weeks? Hope the deliberations are thorough.
M
Meera T
As a woman who respects tradition, I'm conflicted. I want equal rights, but I also don't want to disrespect a deity's *niyamam* (rules). Perhaps the solution isn't a blanket legal order, but a dialogue within the community to evolve practices slowly.
V
Vikram M
The government supporting the review petitions is disappointing. The state should be a neutral upholder of the Constitution, which promises equality. This feels politically motivated ahead of elections in Kerala. The court must remain independent.
K
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