New Delhi: The Supreme Court is considering referring the case related to the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple to a nine-judge Constitution Bench, Chief Justice Justice Suryakant has said. Speaking to a national media outlet, the Chief Justice stated that the court is examining the possibility of placing issues related to freedom of religion and discrimination against women before a larger Constitution Bench.
Apart from the Sabarimala women’s entry case, the Supreme Court is also hearing several other petitions that raise significant constitutional questions. These include challenges to the practice of female circumcision in the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community, petitions questioning the denial of entry to women in mosques, and cases challenging the restriction on entry into agiaries (Zoroastrian temples) for Parsi women who marry outside the community. The court is considering referring all these matters to a nine-judge bench.
The Chief Justice said that one of his key priorities is to constitute as many Constitution Benches as possible to deal with pending petitions that raise crucial constitutional issues. CJ also noted that several petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have been filed from multiple states. These petitions will be examined by the bench handling the SIR matters after the nationwide voter list revision is completed.
Justice Suryakant further remarked that constitutional courts should function like emergency wards in hospitals. CJ emphasized that in the face of a legal challenge, any Indian citizen, irrespective of position, should be able to approach the doors of the Supreme Court at any hour, even at midnight, seeking relief.
The Chief Justice also said that steps will be taken to introduce norms for lawyers to complete arguments within a fixed timeframe, in order to ensure timely disposal of cases.
