NationalFriday, 15 May 2026·The Hindu
Supreme Court reserves verdict in Sabarimala review petitions: 9-judge Constitution Bench and key arguments
The Supreme Court’s 9-judge Constitution Bench reserved its verdict in the Sabarimala review petitions after hearing arguments on religion, custom and constitutional limits.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In May 2026, a 9-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, reserved its verdict in the Sabarimala review petitions concerning the 2018 ruling that allowed women of all ages to enter the Kerala shrine.
Key specifics
- The bench included Chief Justice Surya Kant and judges B.V. Nagarathna, M.M. Sundresh, A. Amanullah, A.G. Masih, P.B. Varale, R. Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi.
- The hearing mentioned was the 16th day of arguments in the review petitions.
- Senior advocate Gopal Subramanium argued that courts can intervene only to a limited extent in matters of religious rights.
- Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi argued on Hindu philosophy, social duty and the relationship between humans and divinity.
- Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan argued that the essential religious practice test cannot be applied to decide whether customs should continue.
Exam lens
Question type: Polity and judiciary match-the-following. Key facts: Supreme Court, 9-judge Constitution Bench, Sabarimala review petitions, 2018 women-entry ruling, Kerala. TNPSC may ask about judicial review, constitutional bench, and the issue under consideration.