SC's 9-Judge Constitution Bench To Hear Pleas Seeking Women's Entry Into Sabarimala From April 7

Last Updated:February 16, 2026, 18:17 IST

The Supreme Court will begin hearings in the Sabarimala review case before a nine-judge Constitution Bench from April 7, 2026, with written submissions due by March 14.

Sabarimala Women Entry Case: The Supreme Court on Monday fixed April 7, 2026, as the date for commencement of hearings in the long-pending Sabarimala review matter before a nine-judge Constitution Bench, setting in motion the next phase of judicial scrutiny into one of the most debated constitutional disputes concerning religious freedom and gender rights.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) said the case would be taken up after completion of another Constitution Bench matter, observing, “This is the second case before the nine-judge bench. Once the State of UP vs Jai Bir is over, this will be taken up."

The bench also directed all parties to file their written submissions on or before March 14, 2026.

Recalling the earlier proceedings, the CJI noted the long gap since the matter was last heard.

“This case was taken up on February 10, 2020, and now I am the only one left from that bench," he said, pointing out that the remaining judges who had heard the matter earlier have since retired.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta referred to the disruptions at the time, stating that arguments had begun just before the Covid-19 shutdown and that one of the judges had fallen ill.

The CJI added, “The Bar and the Bench together fought with the crisis. It was a hard time," noting that the pandemic made it impossible for nine judges to sit together thereafter.

The court clarified that objections relating to maintainability had already been settled by its February 10, 2020 judgment, which held that constitutional questions could be referred to a larger bench even in review proceedings.

“This issue of re: maintainability has attained finality and need not detain us at this stage," the CJI observed.

Pursuant to a reference order dated November 14, 2019, a nine-judge bench was constituted to examine broader constitutional questions arising from the Sabarimala dispute, including the scope and ambit of religious freedom across faiths.

The bench said it would now proceed to answer the seven questions framed earlier and indicated that additional issues may also arise during hearings.

Fixing a detailed schedule, the court said review petitioners and parties supporting them would be heard between April 7 and April 9, while those opposing the review would present arguments from April 14 to April 16.

Rejoinder submissions will be heard on April 21, followed by final submissions by the amicus curiae, expected to conclude by April 22.

Emphasising procedural discipline, the CJI said, “We lay emphasis that the parties shall adhere to the above time schedule."

Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, assisted by advocate Shivam Singh, was appointed amicus curiae to assist the court.

The Solicitor General informed the bench that the Union government supports the review petitions, while Senior Advocate CS Vaidyanathan also expressed support for the review.

The listing of the matter has also reignited political debate in Kerala, where the Sabarimala issue continues to remain sensitive.

Opposition leaders have urged the CPI(M)-led state government to clarify its stand before the top court on the entry of women of menstruating age into the shrine, while the ruling party has maintained that its position would be disclosed before the court at the appropriate stage.

The controversy traces back to the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple, a ruling that sparked widespread protests and multiple review petitions.

News india SC's 9-Judge Constitution Bench To Hear Pleas Seeking Women's Entry Into Sabarimala From April 7

Read More