Sabarimala : "Be Present When Review Is Heard", SC Tells Lawyer Who Mentioned Contempt Petition Against Temple Priest

When the contempt petition filed against the Thanthri(chief priest) of Sabarimala temple was mentioned today morning before the bench of the CJI, he said " Be present here when the review is heard. There are 54 matters".

This indicates that the Constitution Bench hearing the review petitions against Sabarimala judgment is likely to consider the contempt petition against the Thanthri. The review petitions are listed for hearing tomorrow.

The contempt action has been sought on the allegation that the shutting down of temple by him on January 2 allegedly for purification ceremonies following entry of two women amounted to violation of SC judgment, which declared the right of women of all age groups to enter the temple.

The CJI had declined early listing of the contempt petition when it was mentioned before him on January 3. The CJI then said that the Constitution Bench was set to hear the review petitions against Sabarimala judgment."We cannot constitute separate bench for contempt petition", the CJI remarked in response to the oral mentioning.

Two women, Bindu & Kanakadurga, both aged below 50 years, had visited the temple on January 2 early morning around 3.30 AM. After that, the Chief Priest Kandararu Rajeevaru shut down the temple around 10.30 AM for "purification" rituals.