[Breaking] Sabarimala Reference : SC Holds That Questions Of Law Can Be Referred To Larger Bench In Review [Read Order]

The 9-judge bench of the Supreme Court has held that a bench can refer questions of law to larger bench even in review jurisdiction.The bench led by CJI SA Bobde has framed seven issues for the consideration in the case.The bench has not given reasons for it conclusion. The order states "For reasons to follow, we hold that this Court can refer questions of law to a larger bench in a review petition".The issues are :1. What is the scope and ambit of right to freedom of religion under Article 25 of the Constitution of India? 2. What is the inter-play between the rights of persons under Article 25 of the Constitution of India and rights of religious denomination under Article 26 of the Constitution of India? 3. Whether the rights of a religious denomination under Article 26 of the Constitution of India are subject to other provisions of Part III of the Constitution of India apart from public order, morality and health? 4. What is the scope and extent of the word 'morality' under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India and whether it is meant to include Constitutional morality? 5. What is the scope and extent of judicial review with regard to a religious practice as referred to in Article 25 of the Constitution of India? 6. What is the meaning of expression "Sections of Hindus" occurring in Article 25 (2) (b) of the Constitution of India? 7. Whether a person not belonging to a religious denomination or religious group can question a practice of that religious denomination or religious group by filing a PIL? The Court will start day to day hearing in the case from February 17. On February 6, the 9-judge bench of the Supreme Court constituted to answer the questions mentioned in the Sabarimala review had reserved orders on the preliminary issue whether a reference is possible in a review petition."Whether this Court can refer questions of law to a larger bench in a review petition?" - this was the preliminary issue considered by the Court. The arguments on Thursday was started by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who supported the reference on behalf of the Central Government.He said that the reference had nothing to do with Sabarimala review. The Sabarimala review bench had not referred the review to the larger bench, but certain larger questions on religious rights and scope of judicial interference on them.He said that technicalities should not fetter the jurisdiction of the Court. The decision of SC in Navtej Johar case, where a 5-judge bench struck down Section 377 of IPC even as the curative petition against the 2013 decision of 2-judge bench which had upheld the provision was pending, was cited by the SG to state that the Court can consider the issue, regardless of technical hurdles."If there's a question of law, the Court has the liberty to constitute a larger Bench to settle the issues. As custodian of Fundamental Rights, it is the duty of the court to lay down an authoritative pronouncement on these questions of law", SG said.Senior Advocate F S Nariman submitted that the reference was not maintainable. It was submitted by the renowned jurist that the scope of review was very narrow to examine the correctness of the original judgment on limited grounds. Therefore, the review jurisdiction cannot be invoked to refer to larger bench certain questions of law, which are not directly arising from the original judgment, submitted Senior Advocate Nariman.He remarked that the order passed by the Sabarimala review bench on November 14, 2019 was an 'adjournment order' and not a reference."You cannot indulge in the exposition of law outside the facts of the case.", he said. Nariman also highlighted that there was no 'inherent' power of review.Senior Advocate Indira Jaising submitted that it was not clear if the November 14, 2019 order in Sabarimala review was passed in the review petitions or in the writ petitions which were filed challenging the original judgment passed in September 2018. She supported Nariman's argument that such a reference in review was impermissible."Only after demonstrating that there is a prima facie error can a reference be made on the review", Jaising said.Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi submitted that the "platform" of review cannot be used to decide the prospects of a future reference.Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for Kerala Government, opposed the reference. "Nature of review proceedings and that of reference are totally different. They are in conflict. As between the parties to the original litigation, the question can only be opened if parameters of review petition are met. The lis between the parties can't be reopened if there's no error on the face of the record. Reference will bind everyone in the future. But, in review, the parties to the litigation will be affected. Review cannot be decided post the reference. If it does, then the question of law which is decided in the reference, will become a ground in the review. It becomes an...

[Breaking] Sabarimala Reference : SC Holds That Questions Of Law Can Be Referred To Larger Bench In Review [Read Order]

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