(Constitution Bench)
Before :- S.A. Bobde, CJI, R. Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan, L. Nageswara Rao, Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, S. Abdul Nazeer, R. Subhash Reddy, B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant, JJ.
Review Petition (Civil) No. 3358 of 2018 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 373 of 2006. D/d. 10.2.2020.
Kantaru Rajeevaru - Petitioner
Versus
Indian Young Lawyers Association Thr. Its General Secretary Ms. Bhakti Pasrija and Ors. - Respondents
With
SLP(C) No. 18889 of 2012, W.P.(C) No. 286 of 2017, R.P.(C) No. 3359 of 2018 in W.P. (C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 37946-2018, R.P.(C) No. 3469 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 38135-2018, Diary No. 38136-2018, R.P.(C) No. 3449 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, W.P.(C) No. 1285 of 2018, R.P.(C) No. 3470 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, R.P.(C) No. 3380 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, R.P.(C) No. 3379 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, R.P.(C) No. 3444 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, R.P.(C) No. 3462 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 38764-2018, Diary No. 38769-2018, Diary No. 38907-2018, R.P.(C) No. 3377 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 39023-2018,Diary No. 39135-2018,Diary No. 39248-2018, Diary No. 39258-2018, Diary No. 39317-2018, W.P.(C) No. 1323 of 2018, W.P.(C) No. 1305 of 2018, Diary No. 39642-2018, R.P.(C) No. 3381 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 40056-2018, Diary No. 40191-2018, Diary No. 40405-2018, Diary No. 40570-2018, Diary No. 40681-2018, Diary No. 40713-2018, Diary No. 40840-2018, Diary No. 40885-2018, Diary No. 40887-2018, Diary No. 40888-2018,Diary No. 40898-2018, R.P.(C) No. 3457 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 40910-2018, Diary No. 40924-2018, Diary No. 40929-2018,Diary No. 41005-2018, Diary No. 41091-2018, W.P.(C) No. 1339 of 2018, Diary No. 41264-2018, R.P.(C) No. 3473 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 41395-2018, Diary No. 41586-2018, R.P.(C) No. 3480 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 41896-2018, Diary No. 42085-2018,Diary No. 42264-2018, Diary No. 42337-2018, MA 3113 of 2018 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 44021-2018, Diary No. 44991-2018, Diary No. 46720-2018, Diary No. 47720-2018, Diary No. 2252-2019, R.P.(C) No. 345 of 2019 in W.P.(C) No. 373 of 2006, Diary No. 2998-2019, W.P.(C) No. 472 of 2019.
For the Petitioner :- Krishna Kumar Singh, Advocate.
For the Respondents :- K. V. Muthu Kumar, Lakshmi Raman Singh, Suvidutt M.S., Rekha Pandey, Varinder Kumar Sharma, Ranjeeta Rohatgi, Sansriti Pathak, M. R. Shamshad, Praseena Elizabeth Joseph, Karanjawala & Co., Parekh & Co., Savita Singh, Prashant Padmanabhan, Divya Roy, Rupesh Kumar, Rashmi Singhania, Bharti Tyagi, S. S. Shroff, Divya Jyoti Singh, Archana Pathak Dave, Preet Pal Singh, Advocates.
ORDER
We have heard the parties at length. For reasons to follow, we hold that this Court can refer questions of law to a larger bench in a Review Petition.
2. The following issues are framed for consideration by this Court: -
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?
