SC schedules Sabarimala review hearing from April 7 on women’s entry
text_fields
New Delhi: A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will begin hearing the Sabarimala review petitions from April 7, addressing issues referred from the 2018 judgment allowing women of all ages into the Lord Ayyappa temple.
Chief Justice Surya Kant’s bench, hearing review petitions against the September 2018 ruling, fixed arguments to conclude by April 22 and directed all parties to submit written notes by March 14, 2026.
The bench dismissed objections to the reference’s maintainability, noting a February 2020 order confirmed the court’s power to refer review questions to a larger bench. Seven key legal issues, framed earlier, now stand finalized for adjudication.
Review supporters argue April 7-9; opponents April 14-16; rejoinders on April 21; and amicus curiae final submissions April 22. Nodal counsels must coordinate to meet the timeline, with CJI Kant stressing the proceedings’ priority over other commitments.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta confirmed the Centre’s support for the review. Advocate-on-Record Shivam Singh will assist amicus K. Parmeswar in compiling all parties’ positions.
The bench’s final composition awaits CJI notification. Linked cases cover Muslim women’s mosque/dargah entry, Parsi women’s Fire Temple access post-inter-community marriage, excommunication practices, and Dawoodi Bohra female genital mutilation.
(Inputs from IANS)
