(Dipak Misra, R. Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan, JJ.)
Indian Young Lawyers Association & Ors. ____________ Petitioner(s)
v.
State of Kerala & Ors. ____________________________ Respondent(s)
(With appln.(s) for directions and exemption from filing O.T. and impleadment and intervention and permission to appear and argue in person and permission to bring additional facts and office report)
Writ Petition (Civil) No. 373/2006, decided on November 7, 2016
The Order of the court was delivered by
Order
1. Mr. Jaideep Gupta, learned senior counsel appearing for the State of Kerala prays for fixing a date for hearing of the case. As we are in the midst of a part-heard case, the matter is to be adjourned.
2. On being asked as to what is the stand of the State, Mr. Gupta, learned senior counsel appearing for the State has submitted that the State intends to place reliance on its original affidavit and not to refer to the additional affidavit. On being further asked as to what is the specific stand of the State, Mr. Gupta unequivocally stated that the State is of the view that women of no age should be debarred to enter into the temple and worship the Deity.
3. At this juncture, Mr. K.K. Venugopal, learned senior counsel appearing for the Travancore Devaswom Board, the respondent No. 2, has submitted that a stand or stance cannot be altered at the convenience of a party. Needless to say, we have recorded what is the stand of the State today. The acceptability of an affidavit or ignoring the assertions in an affidavit filed later on, shall be considered when the hearing of the case commences.
4. Let the matter be listed on 20th February, 2017, at 2.00 p.m.
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