New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Supreme Court of India on Monday announced that a nine-judge Constitution Bench will commence final hearings on April 7 in a batch of petitions concerning alleged discrimination against women in religious practices, including the entry issue at Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi said the larger Bench, to be constituted by the Chief Justice of India, is expected to conclude hearings by April 22. The court directed all parties to submit written arguments on or before March 14.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, expressed support for review petitions challenging the 2018 verdict that permitted entry of women of all age groups into the hill shrine.
The court appointed advocate Krishna Kumar Singh as nodal counsel for parties supporting the review, while Shashwati Pari will represent those opposing it. Senior advocate K. Parameshwar and advocate Shivam Singh have been appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, with Singh tasked to compile the stand of all parties.
As per the schedule laid down, arguments by review petitioners will be heard from April 7 to April 9, followed by submissions from opposing parties between April 14 and April 16. Rejoinder arguments, if any, will be taken up on April 21, with final submissions by the amicus expected to conclude by April 22.
Earlier, on May 11, 2020, the apex court had held that a five-judge Bench could refer questions of law to a larger Bench while exercising review jurisdiction in the Sabarimala matter. The court had framed seven key constitutional questions, including the scope of religious freedom under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution and whether individuals outside a religious denomination can challenge its practices through public interest litigation.
Apart from Sabarimala, the reference also includes issues relating to the entry of Muslim women into mosques and dargahs, and the rights of Parsi women married to non-Parsi men to enter an Agiary.
