New Delhi, April 7: The Supreme Court will commence hearings on the long-pending Sabarimala case today. A special bench of nine judges has been formed to revisit this significant matter.
According to the list of cases published on the Supreme Court’s official website, the bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, will hear review petitions against the September 2018 ruling that allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The bench will also address related issues that raise important questions regarding religious freedom.
The nine-judge bench includes Justices B.V. Nagarathna, M.M. Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Arvind Kumar, A.G. Masih, Prasanna B. Varale, R. Mahadevan, and Joymalya Bagchi. Proceedings in the Supreme Court are set to begin at 10:30 AM.
In addition to the Sabarimala case, the Supreme Court is expected to consider broader constitutional questions related to the scope of religious freedom under Article 25.
Previously, the bench led by CJI Chandrachud established a detailed schedule for the hearings and clarified that the admissibility of the case has already been determined. It also outlined seven significant legal questions for resolution.
As per the schedule, arguments supporting the review petitions will be heard from April 7 to April 9, followed by arguments opposing the review from April 14 to April 16. Any rebuttals will be considered on April 21, with final arguments expected to conclude on April 22.
The Supreme Court has directed all parties to submit written responses in advance and emphasized strict adherence to deadlines, given the critical nature of constitutional bench matters.
Before the hearings, the Travancore Devaswom Board submitted written arguments urging the Supreme Court to adopt a “community-centered” understanding of religion. The board contends that courts should refrain from reinterpreting faith-based practices and has also questioned the old rule concerning “essential religious practices.”
Meanwhile, the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, informed the Supreme Court that the central government supports these review petitions.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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