Sabarimala Women Entry Case: Constitution Bench Verdict Likely in First Week of October
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its verdict in the Sabarimala case in the first week of October. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant indicated the timeline while hearing the Bodh Gaya temple case. The Sabarimala reference will be decided by a nine-judge Constitution Bench.
During the hearing, an advocate pointed out that answers to certain legal questions in the Bodh Gaya temple case would depend on the constitutional questions being considered in the Sabarimala reference. Therefore, the lawyer argued that the Bodh Gaya case could be taken up only after the Supreme Court delivers its verdict in the Sabarimala matter.
It was in this context that Chief Justice Surya Kant indicated that the Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its verdict in the Sabarimala case in the first week of October. The nine-judge Constitution Bench, headed by the Chief Justice, will deliver the verdict on the Sabarimala reference. He further indicated that the Bodh Gaya petition could be taken up on October 6.
The hearing in the Sabarimala case was concluded on May 14, after 16 days of arguments, and the matter was reserved for judgment.
The Supreme Court is examining several constitutional questions, including the extent to which courts can intervene in matters of faith and religion. The Bench is also considering the limits of judicial intervention and whether greater weight should be given to the right to religious freedom or the right to individual liberty in such matters.