Sabarimala Verdict Review Petition Live Updates: Temple issue referred to a 7-judge SC bench

The Supreme Court of India (SC) Thursday referred the Sabarimala matter to a larger SC bench. The 7-Judge SC bench will now examine the case. There was a 3:2 verdict for sending the matter to a larger bench. A constitution bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra issued the verdict in the case.

On September 28, 2018, the Supreme Court had revoked the ban on entry of women aged between 10 years and 50 years into Lord Ayyappa’s temple in Sabarimala, Kerala. The southern state had witnessed high drama and protests by devotees and right-wing activists last year against the CPI(M)-led LDF government’s decision to implement the top court’s order.

The SC pronounced its order in as many as 65 petitions – including 56 review petitions and four fresh writ petitions and five transfer pleas – which were filed after violent protests in Kerala over the Sabarimala case verdict.

updates
11.00 am: No stay on SC’s 2018 judgement, women can continue to enter Sabarimala temple

10.56 am: We should celebrate SC’s verdict: Activist Rahul Easwar

10.54 am: Temple issue sent to larger bench in 3:2 verdict, Justices Nariman and Chandrachud dissent

10.45 am: Sabarimala issue sent to a larger SC bench.

10.40: Petitioners wanted to revive debate on what is religion.

10.35 am: All 5 judges have signed the Sabarimala verdict,.

10.30 am: CJI reading Sabarimala verdict.

10. 25 am: Sabarimala verdict file brought to the court.

10.20: Security beefed at the Dewaswom board as the SC is set to deliver verdict on 56 review petitions.

10.05 am: Action packed week for Supreme Court as it pronounces verdict on Rafale, Rahul Gandhi and Sabarimala

This has been a hectic week for the Supreme Court as CJI Ranjan Gogoi is all set to deliver verdict on the pending cases before him before he retires from office on Sunday (17 November). The apex court will pronounced its verdict on a host of review please challenging the Sabarimala judgment, Rafale deal and a contempt plea against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his “chowkidaar chor hai” remark.

9.47 am: Arguing for Ayyappa’s rights in Sabarimala just like Ram Lalla has rights in Ayodhya: Activist

“Just like the Sri Ram Lalla deity has rights in Ayodhya, we are arguing for Ayyappa’s right in Sabarimala,” said Rahul Easwar, an activist, in an interview with India Today TV.

9.32 am: Everyone should accept Sabarimala verdict, whatever it may be, says Temple board chief

A Padmakumar, the outgoing president of the Travancore Devasom Board (the autonomous temple body that manages the shrine), has requested the general public to accept the Sabarimala verdict by the CJI-led constitution bench at the Supreme Court. “The Board’s request to everyone is that we should accept the verdict whatever it may be. We hope that the state government will act in accordance with the verdict,” he said.

9.15 am: Sabarimala temple to open on November 16 for two month long pilgrimage season

The Sabarimala temple will open its doors on Saturday (evening), November 16, for two month long Mandalam Makaravilakku season. Kerala’s police chief, Loknath Behara, said that there will be tight security for two months and nearly 10,00 police personnel will be deputed in phases in and around the temple.

8.45 am: CJI-led bench to deliver verdict on Sabarimala at 10:30 am

The SC will deliver its ruling on the review petitions at 10:30 am. The verdict will be pronounced by the CJI Ranjan Gogoi-led constitution bench. The bench will give its judgement on 64 petitions, comprising review pleas and transfer pleas challenging the apex court’s 2018 decision on allowing women entry into the Sabarimala temple.

8.20 am: Why are women devotees not allowed in Sabarimala temple?

Sabarimala is an ancient temple in Kerala. The temple is widely believed to be unreachable for nearly three centuries after it was established. Prince of Padalam Dynasty Manikandan rediscovered the path to the temple in 12th century. He was considered to be an avatar of Ayyappa who was widely believed to be a celibate and hence, should not be distracted with a woman’s presence around him.

8.14 am: Accept SC verdict on Sabrimala like Ayodhya: Kerala Devaswom Minister to BJP

Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Tuesday asked the BJP, which has welcomed the recent Supreme Court order on Ayodhya, to also respect the apex court verdict on Sabarimala permitting women of all ages to pray at the Lord Ayyappa shrine. Surendran, who was replying to a question posed by the lone BJP legislator O Rajagopal, also asked the saffron party not to encourage “goons and anti-socials” to go to Sabarimala. Rajagopal had sought a reply from the minister on the arrangements made at the hilltop shrine ahead of the annual pilgrimage season.