Sabarimala case: 9-judge SC bench to hear pleas on discrimination against women at religious places

NEW DELHI: A 9-judge seat of Supreme Court volition perceive the pleas relating to favoritism against women astatine spiritual places, including Kerala's Sabarimala Temple.The proceeding is acceptable to statesman April 7 and projected to beryllium concluded connected April 22.

The creation of the 9-judge seat volition beryllium notified by the Chief Justice of India separately done an administrative order.A seat of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi passed the orders connected Monday for the listing of the notation earlier the 9-judge bench.“A 9 justice seat shall commence proceeding successful these matters connected April 7, 2026 (Tuesday) astatine 10:30 AM. The reappraisal petitioners oregon the parties supporting them shall beryllium heard from April 7-9, April 2026.

The archetypal writ petitioners opposing the reappraisal petitioners shall beryllium heard connected April 14-16, 2026. The rejoinder submissions if immoderate volition beryllium heard connected April 21, 2026 followed by the last and concluding submissions by the learned amicus which is expected to beryllium implicit by April 22.

The parties shall adhere to the supra clip schedule," the apical tribunal noted."The nodal counsels successful consultation with arguing counsel of the parties shall hole the interior statement truthful that oral submissions from some sides tin beryllium heard wrong stipulated timeline” it added.

Listed on with these were petitions relating to the issues of Muslim women's introduction successful Dargah/mosques, introduction of Parsi women successful Fire Temples if they person joined a non-Parsi, validity of the practices of excommunication and Female Genital Mutilation among Dawoodi Bohra community.In 2018, a Constitution Bench of the apex court, permitted the introduction of women of each ages into the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, striking down the centuries-old signifier that barred women betwixt the ages of 10 and 50.Subsequently, a nine-judge Constitution Bench connected February 10, 2020 upheld the determination of the Sabarimala Review Bench to notation to a larger Bench wide questions concerning the interplay betwixt indispensable spiritual practices, equality, and law morality crossed faiths.Centre on with different parties are supporting the reappraisal petitions, efficaciously challenging the 2018 ruling that allowed introduction of women of each ages into the Sabarimala temple.The archetypal writ petitioners present respondents successful the reappraisal proceedings, are opposing the reappraisal pleas and seeking to uphold the 2018 judgment.