Sabarimala Case: Chief Justice Gogai Declines Early Hearing

Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi declining the early hearing into review petitions pertaining to the Sabarimala case on 3^rd January said that these would be heard on the earlier fixed date i.e. 22^nd January. In total there are 49 review petitions challenging the entry of women in Kerala’s Sabarimala temple.

Justice Gogoi also refused to consider a contempt petition against the priest of Sabarimala for carrying out purification ritual in the shrine after 2 women entered the temple on Wednesday. The hearing for this will be along with the review petitions.

Two women in their 40s on 2^nd January made history by entering the Sabarimala shrine, breaching the temple’s long traditional ban on women of menstruating age, leaving Kerala shaken by protests.

A number of women tried to enter the shrine since the SC’s Sabarimala verdict but they were forced to return back by the protesters.

A review petition by the National Ayyappa Devotees Organization, argued that the ruling was unlawful, void and in violation of the principles of natural justice. The petition noted that judgment is vitiated by “errors apparent on the face of record”.

It was also alleged that the judgment was in infringement of express provisions ensuring the liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship in Section 25 of the Constitution.