Denominational practices can be subject matter of judicial scrutiny: SC in Sabarimala case

NEW DELHI: (Apr 17) Observing that denominational practices can be subject matter of judicial scrutiny, the Supreme Court on Friday said that judges must rise above personal religious beliefs and be guided by freedom of conscience and the broader constitutional framework while adjudicating matters of faith.

The remark by a nine-judge constitution bench came while hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, and on the ambit and scope of the religious freedom practised by multiple faiths.

The bench comprises Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B Varale, R Mahadevan, and Joymalya Bagchi.