Supreme Court Forms Nine-Judge Bench to Review Sabarimala Verdict

Original: Supreme Court notifies nine-judge Bench for Sabarimala verdict review

The Hindu•Apr 4, 20263 min

In a Nutshell

The Supreme Court of India has established a nine-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, to review the controversial 2018 verdict allowing women of menstruating age entry into the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala. Hearings are scheduled from April 7 to April 22, 2026, addressing broader constitutional questions regarding religious practices.

Key Points

01A nine-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, will review the Sabarimala case starting April 7, 2026.
02The case stems from a 2018 ruling that permitted women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple.
03This review will address significant constitutional questions about religious practices and judicial intervention.
04The Supreme Court aims to conclude the hearings by the end of April 2026.
05The review also includes related petitions concerning women's rights in other religious practices.

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Full Summary

On April 4, 2026, the Supreme Court of India announced the formation of a nine-judge Bench, chaired by Chief Justice Surya Kant, to review the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple case. This case follows a 2018 verdict that allowed women of menstruating age entry into the temple located in Kerala, India. The hearings are set to begin on April 7 and will continue until April 22, with the court aiming to resolve the matter by the end of the month. The review will not only revisit the Sabarimala case but also address broader constitutional issues regarding essential religious practices and the extent of judicial intervention. This includes related petitions concerning the rights of Muslim women to enter mosques and the rights of Parsi women married outside their faith. The previous hearings were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this review marks a significant step in addressing these long-standing issues.

Key Figures

9

Number of judges in the Bench reviewing the case

2018

Year the original verdict allowing women entry was issued

April 22, 2026

Date for concluding submissions in the hearings

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Why It Matters

The outcome of this review could significantly affect women's rights in religious practices across India, influencing similar cases in different faiths.

Who is affected

Women seeking to enter religious places of worship and broader religious communities in India.

What to know

Stakeholders and activists should monitor the hearings and engage in discussions surrounding the implications of the verdict.

FAQ

The Sabarimala case addresses the constitutional rights of women regarding entry into religious places, raising questions about essential religious practices and judicial intervention.

The hearings are scheduled from April 7 to April 22, 2026.

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