SC to give verdict on women's entry in Haji Ali Dargah on Oct 17

The Supreme Court extended stay on implementation of Bombay High Court order lifting ban on women's entry in Haji Ali Dargah till October 17.

The apex court on Tuesday agreed to hear the appeal by the Dargah Trust challenging the Bombay High Court's verdict.

On August 26, the Bombay High Court lifted the ban imposed on women from entering the inner sanctum of Haji Ali Dargah, in Mumbai.

Noorjehan Fiaz and Zakia Soman, founders of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), had petitioned the Bombay High Court against the ban, calling it unconstitutional.

The 2011 ban violates the women's right to freedom of religion enshrined in Article 25 of the constitution.

The PIL stated that gender justice is inherent in the Quran, and there is no prohibition on women visiting graves.

Prior to 2011, the Dargah did not discriminate against women and allowed free entry of people across religions. On March 2011, the Dargah's board of trustees imposed a ban on women's entry, calling it a "grievous sin". It is a sin as per Islam for women to be in close proximity of a male Muslim saint's grave.