The Supreme Court on Friday referred the petition in the case of boycott practice of Dawoodi Bohra community to a nine-judge bench. A five-judge bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said that if the nine-judge bench decides on the Sabarimala case, the same bench should also decide on the boycott practice of the Dawoodi Bohra community. Apart from Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice AS Oka, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice JK Maheshwari are also included in the bench of five judges.  

During the hearing of the petition, the Dawoodi Bohra community's counsel appealed that a nine-judge bench would give its verdict on the Sabarimala case, in which case it was also sought to be referred to a nine-judge bench. Let us tell you that a nine-judge bench is hearing the issue of giving entry to women in Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Along with this, the bench is hearing three more cases, in which a decision has to be taken on women's rights and the right to practice religious matters. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared in the court on behalf of Maharashtra and he also appealed to send the matter to the bench of nine judges. Senior advocate Fali Nariman also appeared as counsel for one of the parties in the hearing of the petition and sought that the matter be referred to a nine-judge bench. After which the court decided to send the matter to a bench of nine judges.

Explain that Dawoodi Bohra is a sect of Shia Muslims, whose supreme leader has the right to excommunicate orthodox members, expel them from the society. Due to which the expelled person is deprived of community mosque or cemetery along with other facilities. This social practice was challenged in the Supreme Court in the year 1986.