Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: A nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will commence hearing the issues referred in the Sabarimala review matter from April 7.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, while dealing with a batch of review petitions against its September 2018 judgment permitting entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, fixed a detailed schedule for the conclusion of arguments by April 22.
It directed all parties to file their written submissions on or before March 14. “Objections were earlier raised regarding maintainability of the reference, which was conclusively determined by this court in February 2020, whereby the 9-judge Bench opined that this court can refer questions to a larger Bench even in review.
Accordingly, the issue of the maintainability of reference has attained finality and need not detain us at this stage,” said the Bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi. Referring to the order dated February 10, 2020, the apex court added that seven questions of law had already been framed for consideration by a nine-judge Bench.
“In this light, and with a view to finally laying to rest the questions of law that remain pending in these matters, we direct the parties to file their written submissions on or before 14.03.2026,” the order stated.
As per the schedule fixed by the Supreme Court, parties supporting the review petitions will be heard from April 7 to April 9. Those opposing the review will advance arguments from April 14 to April 16.
Rejoinder submissions, if any, will be heard on April 21, followed by final submissions by the amicus curiae, which are expected to conclude on April 22.
