SC to hear review pleas on Sabarimala verdict on Nov 13

The Supreme Court on Tuesday announced that it will hear the review petitions filed against its Sabarimala verdict on November 13.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul had noted that 19 petitions had been filed against its Sabarimala verdict of September 28.

A five-judge Constitution bench by a majority of 4:1 had set aside the age-old prohibition of women between 10 and 50 years from entering the temple.

The top court had then said the right to practice one's religion guaranteed under the Constitution does not discriminate on the grounds of gender and physiological factors like menstruation.

According to the SC Rules, review petitions are taken up by the judges in their chamber in absence of lawyers.

The Sabarimala temple has been opened since October 16, but so far no woman has been successful to visit the shrine in view of fierce protests over there. The temple is likely to be closed by Monday night.

In a writ petition filed Shylaja Vijayan, President of National Ayappa Devotees Association, it was contended that the judgement has sent shock waves among millions of believers and worshippers. The petitioner claimed the judgement was void ab initio as it was violative of natural as well as fundamental rights of the devotees as they were not heard.

Among others, NGOs 'Nair Service Society', and 'Chetana Conscience of Women' have also filed separate petitions for reconsideration of the judgement, also citing reasons like the protest launched by overwhelmingly large number of women to assail the judgement.