Gender-equal bench must hear Sabarimala case: Plea

The plea, filed by S Parameswaran Nampoothiri, also referred to the fact that since 1950, only six women judges have been appointed in the apex court and the instant matter relating to women, should be referred to a bench comprising 50 per cent of women judges or be sent to a special jury. 

The petition, while seeking to constitute a “jury” as an alternative to handle the PILs, also claimed that there was a “judicial emergency” due to delay in disposal of cases. The apex court had on October 13 referred to a constitution bench the contentious issue relating to the ban on entry of women between 10 and 50 years of age into Kerala’s historic hill-top shrine Sabarimala Temple. 

“Pass an order referring the above writ petition to a constitution bench of this court in which at least 50 per cent of the judges are women.” Or in the alternative, refer the matter to a special jury consisting of people of eminence like retired judges of this court or the High Courts, historians, writers, etc. with a direction to take a decision within a particular time frame,” the plea, filed through advocate Wills Mathews, said.