New Delhi, April 7: The Supreme Court is set to commence hearings on the long-pending Sabarmala case starting today. A special bench of nine judges has been constituted to revisit this significant matter.
According to the list of cases published on the Supreme Court’s official website for today, the bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, will hear review petitions challenging 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 critical questions about 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 before the bench are scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM.
In addition to the Sabarmala 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 had set a detailed schedule for the hearings, clarifying that the admissibility of the case had already been decided. It also outlined seven significant legal questions for determination.
According to 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 instructed all parties to submit written responses in advance and emphasized strict adherence to deadlines, given the importance of the constitutional bench’s matters.
Ahead of the hearings, the Travancore Devaswom Board has urged the Supreme Court to adopt a “community-centered” understanding of religion in its written submissions. The board argues that courts should refrain from reinterpreting faith-based practices and has questioned the old rules governing “essential religious practices.”
Meanwhile, the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, informed the Supreme Court that the central government supports these review petitions.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
