Supreme Court sends Sabarimala temple case to a larger bench

New Delhi, Mar 7 : The Supreme Court on Friday referred the petition that challenged the ban on women of 10-50 age group from entering into the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala to a larger bench.

Justice S B Sinha referred the matter to a three Judge bench.

Justice Sinha passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the Indian Young Lawyers Association challenging the bar on women's entry into the temple.

It may be recalled that on November 18 a woman was arrested in front of the temple, as she attempted to gatecrash into the revered hill shrine, where entry of women is barred.

Around two years back a major controversy erupted when a Kannada film actress named Jaimala claimed to have entered the sanctum sanctorum and touched the celibate idol.

In past few years many women have been arrested at Pampa while trying to sneak into the temple.

Women who attain their puberty are barred from entering into the temple, which is opposed by many women groups.

ANI