Supreme Court 9-Judge Bench to Hear Sabarimala, Other Religious Entry Cases from April 7

The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a nine-judge Constitution Bench to begin hearing the critical reference in the Sabarimala women's entry case, along with a cluster of other petitions concerning religious freedom and gender equality, from April 7, 2026. The hearings are slated to conclude by April 22, 2026, with a meticulously laid-out schedule for all parties involved. This significant legal development marks a crucial step in resolving long-standing questions surrounding the interplay between fundamental rights, religious practices, and constitutional morality in India. The composition of the nine-judge bench will be notified separately by the Chief Justice of India. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi passed orders for the listing of the reference before the nine-judge bench. The court has directed all parties to file their written submissions by March 14, 2026. The schedule outlines that parties supporting the review of the 2018 Sabarimala judgment will present their arguments from April 7 to April 9. Those opposing the review will have their opportunity from April 14 to April 16. Rejoinder submissions are scheduled for April 21, followed by concluding submissions from the amicus curiae, expected to be completed by April 22. The court has emphasized strict adherence to this timeline, with the Chief Justice noting the importance of this matter by stating that the nine-judge bench hearing is "more important than anything else" and urging lawyers to clear their calendars. The 2018 Supreme Court verdict had, by a 4:1 majority, permitted women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple, striking down the traditional practice that barred women of menstruating age (10-50 years). This judgment triggered widespread protests across Kerala. Subsequently, review petitions were filed, leading to a 2019 decision by a five-judge bench that referred complex issues to a larger bench. In January 2020, the court notified the constitution of a nine-judge bench to address these broader questions, including the scope of Article 25 (freedom of conscience and right to profess, practice, and propagate religion) and Article 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs) of the Constitution. Beyond the Sabarimala case, the nine-judge bench will also consider other significant matters. These include petitions relating to the entry of Muslim women into mosques, the entry of Parsi women into Fire Temples if they have married a non-Parsi, and the validity of practices like excommunication and Female Genital Mutilation among the Dawoodi Bohra community. The inclusion of these diverse issues underscores the bench's mandate to examine the broader constitutional framework governing religious practices and rights across different communities in India. The Central government, through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, has informed the court that it supports the review petitions, thus challenging the 2018 verdict. In contrast, the State of Kerala, represented by Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, has historically supported the petitioners opposing the review, though its stance may evolve. The Supreme Court case backlog is a persistent issue in India, with thousands of cases pending. While efforts are being made to streamline judicial processes, complex constitutional matters like the Sabarimala reference require extensive deliberation. The outcome of this nine-judge bench's proceedings is expected to have far-reaching implications for religious freedom, gender equality, and the interpretation of constitutional rights concerning diverse religious practices in India.

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