Supreme Court Reserves Verdict in Sabarimala Reference Case After 16-Day Hearing

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgment on seven key questions regarding religious freedom following a marathon 16-day hearing.

A nine-judge Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, concluded proceedings in the Sabarimala reference case today.

The matter stems from the 2018 verdict allowing women of all ages into the Sabarimala Temple, which led to review petitions and the framing of larger constitutional questions. The Court heard arguments on the interplay between Article 25 (religious freedom) and Article 14 (right to equality).

Senior advocates debated the "essential religious practices" test and the scope of judicial intervention in denominational rights before the Bench reserved its verdict.