{"id":343237,"date":"2025-03-08T09:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-08T03:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=343237"},"modified":"2025-03-07T20:01:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T14:31:40","slug":"defining-the-role-of-civil-courts-in-religious-disputes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/08\/defining-the-role-of-civil-courts-in-religious-disputes\/","title":{"rendered":"Defining the Role of Civil Courts in Religious Disputes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<h2>Introduction and brief facts<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This article aims to analyse <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Most Rev. P.M.A. Metropolitan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma<\/span><a id=\"fnref1\" href=\"#fn1\" title=\"1. 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/a>. The issue concerns the civil courts&#8217; authority to hear cases involving religion. By contrasting this ruling with the English case <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shergill<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Khaira<\/span><a id=\"fnref2\" href=\"#fn2\" title=\"2. (2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/a>, the article reviews and analyses the decision. This case is the outcome of a conflict that has lasted for more than a century between the Patriarch&#8217;s Party and the Catholicos&#8217; Party, two different factions within the Jacobian Christian community of Malabar, regarding temporal and administrative control over assets acquired in a charitable trust. Between the two parties, this was the third lawsuit. The year 1954 marked the first, and 1959 marked the second.<a id=\"fnref3\" href=\"#fn3\" title=\"3. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 1.\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a> The 1959 ruling resulted in a mutual adjustment; however, the successfully negotiated adjustments were subsequently disturbed, giving rise to multiple lawsuits, eight of which were merged by the District Court and ultimately determined by the High Court. Due to this, there have been appeals and a number of legal questions raised, such as whether the claim might be maintainable under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001523840\" target=\"_blank\">9<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726944\" target=\"_blank\">Civil Procedure Code, 1908<\/a>, the impact of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9000019210\" target=\"_blank\">Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991<\/a><a id=\"fnref4\" href=\"#fn4\" title=\"4. Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a> and if past lawsuit pronouncements could apply as res judicata.<a id=\"fnref5\" href=\"#fn5\" title=\"5. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 2.\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a> This article will examine the decision on the suit&#8217;s maintainability under the Civil Procedure Code.<\/p>\n<h2>Issues and judgment<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The issue in this case was whether the court could allow a suit seeking the declaration of Church&#8217;s episcopal status and whether the plaintiff may request an injunction to stop the defendants from meddling in church affairs.<a id=\"fnref6\" href=\"#fn6\" title=\"6. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 27.\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy delivered the majority decision on his own behalf as well as for Justice S.C. Sen. Justice R.M. Sahai offered a partially concurring and partially dissenting opinion.<a id=\"fnref7\" href=\"#fn7\" title=\"7. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 1.\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a> In order to decide on the issue stated above, the Court set out to interpret the meaning of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001523840\" target=\"_blank\">9<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726944\" target=\"_blank\">Civil Procedure Code, 1908<\/a>. It found that since the fundamental tenet of law is that every right has an equivalent remedy, every civil suit is cognizable unless barred.<a id=\"fnref8\" href=\"#fn8\" title=\"8. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 28.\"><sup>8<\/sup><\/a> It took a broad interpretation of Section 9 for the following reasons. First, the phraseology used &mdash; both positive and negative &mdash; demonstrates the expansive meaning. All civil lawsuits that are not prohibited are permitted by the positive portion, whereas the negative section prohibits any lawsuits that are expressly or implicitly barred.<a id=\"fnref9\" href=\"#fn9\" title=\"9. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>9<\/sup><\/a> Second, it is evident from the two explanations of the clause that the legislature intended for it to cover religious issues involving the right to property or office.<a id=\"fnref10\" href=\"#fn10\" title=\"10. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>10<\/sup><\/a> Furthermore, the phrase &#8220;all suits of civil nature&#8221; and the term &#8220;shall&#8221; serve to further broaden the section&#8217;s scope. Compared to &#8220;civil proceedings&#8221;, the term &#8220;civil nature&#8221; is broader. Therefore, the clause would be applicable in any situation where a disagreement may impact a party&#8217;s civil and\/or legal rights.<a id=\"fnref11\" href=\"#fn11\" title=\"11. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 29.\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a> Explanation I defines the nature of the present suit. By emphasising unequivocally that lawsuits pertaining to the right to property or office are of a civil nature, even when they entirely centre on religious issues, it eliminates uncertainty.<a id=\"fnref12\" href=\"#fn12\" title=\"12. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 28.\"><sup>12<\/sup><\/a> The Court noted that the Parliament was cognizant of the fact that ecclesiastical courts are unique to England, which is why Explanation I was included.<a id=\"fnref13\" href=\"#fn13\" title=\"13. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 30.\"><sup>13<\/sup><\/a> The phrases and expressions used in the section require the Court to use its jurisdiction to uphold a right, and the word &#8220;shall&#8221; makes this requirement mandatory.<a id=\"fnref14\" href=\"#fn14\" title=\"14. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 29.\"><sup>14<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sinna Ramanuja Jeer<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ranga Ramanuja Jeer<\/span><a id=\"fnref15\" href=\"#fn15\" title=\"15. 1961 SCC OnLine SC 358.\"><sup>15<\/sup><\/a> was referenced by the Court to support its position about the section&#8217;s explanation. In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sinna Ramanuja case<\/span><a id=\"fnref16\" href=\"#fn16\" title=\"16. 1961 SCC OnLine SC 358.\"><sup>16<\/sup><\/a>, the Court noted that prima facie cases pertaining to religious rites and ceremonies cannot be upheld in a civil court. Nonetheless, the section&#8217;s explanation suggests two things: (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">i<\/span>) an office suit is a civil suit; and (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">ii<\/span>) it does not stop being one if the right is solely dependent on a matter of religious ceremonies.<a id=\"fnref17\" href=\"#fn17\" title=\"17. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 35.\"><sup>17<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Appellant&#8217;s contentions and the Court&#8217;s response<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Both parties&#8217; learned counsels presented detailed arguments on a range of issues, including the religious basis of the trust and the civil courts&#8217; authority to address matters pertaining to religion. The appellants claimed that determining whether a church was episcopal or not required determining which canon to apply, and that determination was entirely dependent on canonical regulations. Such an inquiry could not be conducted by civil courts.<a id=\"fnref18\" href=\"#fn18\" title=\"18. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 37.\"><sup>18<\/sup><\/a> In response to this claim, the Court invoked two different legal defences: Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001523840\" target=\"_blank\">9<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726944\" target=\"_blank\">Civil Procedure Code, 1908<\/a> and Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575050\" target=\"_blank\">25<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution<\/a>, which protects the right to practise one&#8217;s religion and freedom of conscience.<a id=\"fnref19\" href=\"#fn19\" title=\"19. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>19<\/sup><\/a> As a fundamental right, the freedom to practise one&#8217;s religion would include the ability to request an acknowledgement of the church&#8217;s episcopal status. Furthermore, since the suit for declaration is a claim to office and there is not an alternate venue for resolving disputes of this kind, it would be maintainable under Section 9.<a id=\"fnref20\" href=\"#fn20\" title=\"20. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>20<\/sup><\/a> Religious office disputes are civil disputes because they involve rights that are civil in nature even though they may have religious overtones. A civil wrong occurs when someone&#8217;s rights as a follower of any religion are violated.<a id=\"fnref21\" href=\"#fn21\" title=\"21. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 38.\"><sup>21<\/sup><\/a> The Court further held that injunctions that prohibit intervention in Church affairs are appropriate and maintainable since they relate to religious office.<a id=\"fnref22\" href=\"#fn22\" title=\"22. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 37.\"><sup>22<\/sup><\/a> This opinion was made for the same reason. The Court did highlight one very significant point, though: because it might be unqualified and lack the necessary competence to make such determinations, it should not decide cases involving purely religious issues that do not implicate legal rights. As a result, the Court decided that, only those prayers in the original suit that could not be justified as strictly religious in nature were subject to civil court review.<a id=\"fnref23\" href=\"#fn23\" title=\"23. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 40.\"><sup>23<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The appellants&#8217; counsel also produced excerpts from <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Halsbury&#8217;s Laws of England<\/span> pertaining to colonies in which the Crown continues to have supreme authority over religious matters. He suggested they should not apply to a country like India, which is a secular sovereign. In a nation like India with a secular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution<\/a>, it was argued, the Court could not follow decisions from countries where the Church was an integral element of the State.<a id=\"fnref24\" href=\"#fn24\" title=\"24. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 41.\"><sup>24<\/sup><\/a> He came to the conclusion that the courts should not get involved in questions of faith. In response, the Court claimed that the texts proved colonists are not subject to English ecclesiastical law. Court jurisdiction is based on common law or statutes.<a id=\"fnref25\" href=\"#fn25\" title=\"25. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 42.\"><sup>25<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court came to the conclusion that by reading Section 9 broadly and construing widely the court&#8217;s jurisdiction to hear an action seeking to declare a church to be episcopal, it is not making a decision about faith in and of itself, but rather about the exercise of a right related to faith.<a id=\"fnref26\" href=\"#fn26\" title=\"26. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 43.\"><sup>26<\/sup><\/a> Only lawsuits that are expressly or implicitly barred are prohibited under Section 9, and in this case, there is not a statutory bar that can be identified. As a result, Section 9 CPC permits the litigation to be maintained. Finally, every citizen is guaranteed a fundamental right to practise their religion by Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575050\" target=\"_blank\">25<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution<\/a>, and any violation of this right can be brought to justice in civil courts.<a id=\"fnref27\" href=\"#fn27\" title=\"27. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>27<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Analysis<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">I concur with the Court&#8217;s decision in this case and believe it ought to serve as a model for resolving cases of a similar nature down the road. I believe that the expansive reading of Section 9 is justified. The section&#8217;s language permits &#8220;all&#8221; cases of civil nature while prohibiting only those that are specifically or implicitly barred.<a id=\"fnref28\" href=\"#fn28\" title=\"28. Civil Procedure Code, 1908, S. 9.\"><sup>28<\/sup><\/a> Moreover, Explanation 1 makes it quite clear that lawsuits pertaining to property or offices are of a civil nature, even though they can solely centre on issues of religious ceremonies.<a id=\"fnref29\" href=\"#fn29\" title=\"29. Civil Procedure Code, 1908, S. 9.\"><sup>29<\/sup><\/a> The current case is obviously one in which the right to hold office is contested, and that right is predicated on a matter pertaining to religious ceremonies or the assertion of the church&#8217;s episcopal nature. This case, in my opinion, perfectly fits the context of cases in Explanation 1, and it is appropriate to apply Explanation 1 to it directly. The Court has provided strong support for its position by referencing <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sinna Ramanuja case<\/span><a id=\"fnref30\" href=\"#fn30\" title=\"30. 1961 SCC OnLine SC 358.\"><sup>30<\/sup><\/a>, which clarifies Explanation 1. Since Section 9 also contains the word &#8220;shall&#8221;, it is a mandatory clause.<a id=\"fnref31\" href=\"#fn31\" title=\"31. Moran Mar Marthoma case, 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286, para 29.\"><sup>31<\/sup><\/a> By using the word &#8220;shall&#8221;, it is implied that the Court has an obligation to use its jurisdiction to try any civil action. This case is of a civil character, and the court is required to try it since it has a duty to do so. Moreover, the appellants&#8217; argument that this is a strictly religious matter in which the court cannot become involved does not hold water for the reasons mentioned above. Although this right hinges on a religious issue, the Court has clear jurisdiction over this matter, which is essentially about determining one&#8217;s right to office. The Court&#8217;s decision to declare the church&#8217;s character as episcopal was crucial in determining the right to office because it affected a civil right. By doing so, the Court was not ruling on matters of faith or religion per se, but rather on the members&#8217; legal rights. The Court further stated that it is unable to become involved in topics that are solely religious and have no bearing on civil issues. By doing so, it has clearly delineated the types of matters over which it is competent to make decisions. For these reasons, I think the ruling about the civil courts&#8217; jurisdiction over religious disputes is sound legal precedent and ought to establish the standard for similar instances in the future.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In his article &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; Ankit Tripathi has said that the Indian judiciary is ignorant of the parameters governing the judicial restraint of religious matters. The courts must acknowledge that, in contrast to other nations, India is an ethnically diverse society, home to people with a wide range of backgrounds, ideologies, and customs. Under such circumstances, India&#8217;s constitutional fabric may suffer grave harm if the courts step in to decide religious disputes.<a id=\"fnref32\" href=\"#fn32\" title=\"32. Ankit Tripathi, &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, Times of India Blog, 17-1-2020).\"><sup>32<\/sup><\/a> Every person in India is guaranteed the freedom to practise their own faith and beliefs by the Constitution. Because we are unable to apply the law everywhere, it is not always the answer to all alleged wrongs. The court should refrain from looking into religious doctrine.<a id=\"fnref33\" href=\"#fn33\" title=\"33. Ankit Tripathi, &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, Times of India Blog, 17-1-2020).\"><sup>33<\/sup><\/a> The notion that political branches are better qualified to make decisions on political matters is the basis of the doctrine of political questions. The same idea should be used for religious matters; religious authorities should make those decisions.<a id=\"fnref34\" href=\"#fn34\" title=\"34. Ankit Tripathi, &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, Times of India Blog, 17-1-2020).\"><sup>34<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Although I partially agree with the above argument, it is crucial to consider how far the courts should become involved in matters of religion. In situations where the real question is one of civil or legal rights, the courts ought to have the authority to make a decision. This is precisely what the Supreme Court decided in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span><a id=\"fnref35\" href=\"#fn35\" title=\"35. 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>35<\/sup><\/a>, making it clear that the court will only become involved in civil cases rather than those that are solely religious in nature. Furthermore, although Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575050\" target=\"_blank\">25<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution<\/a> guarantees the freedom of religion, this right is not unrestricted and is subject to a number of restrictions, including those pertaining to social welfare and public health.<a id=\"fnref36\" href=\"#fn36\" title=\"36. Constitution of India, Art. 25.\"><sup>36<\/sup><\/a> The provision also makes it clear that the State may regulate non-religious activity connected to religious practice.<a id=\"fnref37\" href=\"#fn37\" title=\"37. Constitution of India, Art. 25.\"><sup>37<\/sup><\/a> The right to office, which is the true issue in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span><a id=\"fnref38\" href=\"#fn38\" title=\"38. 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>38<\/sup><\/a>, is a civil right, not a religious one, and the court must intervene when civil rights are in jeopardy because it involves social welfare and public order, which courts are required to uphold.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">It has also been argued that since religious questions are frequently characterised as non-justiciable, they should not be decided by Judges. It has been said that as religious and ecclesiastical matters are not subject to the right to judicial review, courts that are requested to interpret religious concerns should normally refrain from making decisions in these cases. The separation of powers between religion and State should be a consideration in judicial resolution of religious disputes.<a id=\"fnref39\" href=\"#fn39\" title=\"39. Ankit Tripathi, &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, Times of India Blog, 17-1-2020).\"><sup>39<\/sup><\/a> But as has been said several times in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span><a id=\"fnref40\" href=\"#fn40\" title=\"40. 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>40<\/sup><\/a> and this paper, there is a crucial distinction between issues that are purely ecclesiastical that belong in the hands of religious bodies and issues that are civil rights related, like the right to own property or hold office, but depend on religious issues. I thought it appropriate to discuss the English case <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shergill case<\/span><a id=\"fnref41\" href=\"#fn41\" title=\"41. .\"><sup>41<\/sup><\/a> in order to better clarify this distinction. It was the first case of its sort to come before the Supreme Court, and it raised issues pertaining to identification and legitimacy &mdash; that is, having the necessary qualifications to hold office &mdash; as well as belief, theology, and church governance.<a id=\"fnref42\" href=\"#fn42\" title=\"42. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>42<\/sup><\/a> The appellants in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span><a id=\"fnref43\" href=\"#fn43\" title=\"43. 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>43<\/sup><\/a> and the defendants in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shergill case<\/span><a id=\"fnref44\" href=\"#fn44\" title=\"44. .\"><sup>44<\/sup><\/a> made similar points. The defendants in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shergill case<\/span><a id=\"fnref45\" href=\"#fn45\" title=\"45. .\"><sup>45<\/sup><\/a> attempted to have the case dismissed on the grounds that it was not subject to judicial review because it concerned the religious doctrine-based appointment of a successor.<a id=\"fnref46\" href=\"#fn46\" title=\"46. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>46<\/sup><\/a> The argument that the matter revolved around religious beliefs was not justiciable by courts since there are no judicial criteria to judge such situations and they cannot be objectively justified was rejected by the High Court. However, the Court of Appeal disagreed with the High Court.<a id=\"fnref47\" href=\"#fn47\" title=\"47. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>47<\/sup><\/a> Nonetheless, the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeal&#8217;s ruling, establishing a crucial precedent that enabled secular courts to hear religious cases involving concerns about individual rights. It ruled that the case qualified as justiciable and that it may resolve disputes over religious theory and practice when doing so was required to ascertain the rights and interests of individuals that were established by public law.<a id=\"fnref48\" href=\"#fn48\" title=\"48. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>48<\/sup><\/a> The area of non-justiciability for the courts is far smaller and more limited than has previously been believed, according to Satvinder S. Juss&#8217; argument in his article &#8220;The justiciability of religion&#8221;.<a id=\"fnref49\" href=\"#fn49\" title=\"49. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>49<\/sup><\/a> If there is a legal right to determine, the practice might differ even in places where it is occasionally claimed that the theory of non-justiciability is in effect.<a id=\"fnref50\" href=\"#fn50\" title=\"50. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>50<\/sup><\/a> The Supreme Court of Canada has also acknowledged that it might be challenging to decide issues pertaining to an internal conception of religion; as such, the Court should refrain from judicially interpreting and establishing the content of religious requirements that give rise to obligations.<a id=\"fnref51\" href=\"#fn51\" title=\"51. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>51<\/sup><\/a> However, as was decided in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shergill case<\/span><a id=\"fnref52\" href=\"#fn52\" title=\"52. (2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.\"><sup>52<\/sup><\/a>, this did not stop them from enforcing the legal ramifications of acts of religion. In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shergill case<\/span><a id=\"fnref53\" href=\"#fn53\" title=\"53. (2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.\"><sup>53<\/sup><\/a> the Court further stated that by removing private law religious disputes from the jurisdiction of the courts, the Court would essentially be making an arbitrary and improper decision in favour of the defendants, who argued that the case was not subject to judicial review because it was based on religious practice.<a id=\"fnref54\" href=\"#fn54\" title=\"54. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>54<\/sup><\/a> Juss further states that judgments rendered by the UK&#8217;s Supreme Court and High Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shergill case<a id=\"fnref55\" href=\"#fn55\" title=\"55. (2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.\"><sup>55<\/sup><\/a><\/span> could be viewed as a model for other nations &mdash; especially India, where courts might want to review their rulings in similar cases.<a id=\"fnref56\" href=\"#fn56\" title=\"56. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>56<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Since the borders of justiciability may become hazy, it is an important issue in law.<a id=\"fnref57\" href=\"#fn57\" title=\"57. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>57<\/sup><\/a> Courts have the authority to decide whether or not a specific religious group claiming property adheres to the doctrines of the religion for which the trust&#8217;s creators made the endowment, but they cannot decide whether or not religious doctrine is legitimate.<a id=\"fnref58\" href=\"#fn58\" title=\"58. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>58<\/sup><\/a> The Supreme Court maintained the notion in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shergill case<a id=\"fnref59\" href=\"#fn59\" title=\"59. (2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.\"><sup>59<\/sup><\/a><\/span> that a Judge may have to decide whether it is possible to evaluate such matters objectively when a claimant requests the court to enforce private rights and obligations established by public law but that depend on religious problems.<a id=\"fnref60\" href=\"#fn60\" title=\"60. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>60<\/sup><\/a> By asserting that the court cannot serve as church insiders and offer &#8220;correct&#8221; answers to solely ecclesiastical conflicts, the Judges established an air of neutrality. However, they also noted that concerns of theology may be pertinent as factual questions in determining civil rights.<a id=\"fnref61\" href=\"#fn61\" title=\"61. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>61<\/sup><\/a> This article has suggested that there are few, if any, restrictions to how far the court can go in resolving a religious dispute on the basis of non-justiciability when private rights and interests generated by public law are involved.<a id=\"fnref62\" href=\"#fn62\" title=\"62. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>62<\/sup><\/a> This trend is highly welcome in today&#8217;s democratic society, especially given the altered circumstances of the modern, multicultural, and heterogeneous society. The individuals&#8217; rights will matter these days, not the dry divisions between religion, dogma, and church practice.<a id=\"fnref63\" href=\"#fn63\" title=\"63. Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, Cambridge Core, 23-10-2017).\"><sup>63<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">On the whole, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span><a id=\"fnref64\" href=\"#fn64\" title=\"64. 1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.\"><sup>64<\/sup><\/a> is a seminal ruling that elucidates and extends the role of civil courts in resolving conflicts involving religious themes, especially in cases where civil rights and religious matters are linked. The idea that cases involving religious issues are not automatically banned from civil courts is furthered by the Supreme Court&#8217;s expansive reading of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001523840\" target=\"_blank\">9<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726944\" target=\"_blank\">Civil Procedure Code, 1908<\/a>. Civil courts have authority over such conflicts as long as they involve legal rights to property, offices, or other civil affairs. By reading Section 9 broadly, the Court has acknowledged that religious disagreements can frequently have significant civil ramifications in today&#8217;s multicultural society, especially when it comes to issues of administration, governance, and the rights of religious office-holders. The Court made a sensible distinction between instances involving civil rights, such as property or office, and things that are solely religious, such as doctrinal disputes or internal religious activities. This distinction is essential because it safeguards people&#8217;s legal rights and guarantees access to justice while preventing the judiciary from overstepping its bounds into religious doctrine. The ruling makes clear that, even if religious freedom is essential, religious organisations are still subject to scrutiny when it comes to civil rights issues. This strategy guarantees that the judiciary can serve as an impartial Judge, giving people and religious communities recourse without infringing upon their right to religious autonomy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This decision establishes a significant precedent within the larger framework of legal doctrine. It represents a changing perspective on the interplay between religion and the law, one that upholds the internal governance of religious institutions while placing a higher priority on the rights and interests of the person. A definitive framework for the future settlement of religious disputes with civil ramifications has been established by the Supreme Court. This ruling not only represents a significant advancement for Indian law, but it also serves as a model for other pluralistic democracies facing comparable problems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">*Third year student, BA LLB, OP Jindal Global University.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn1\" href=\"#fnref1\">1.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn2\" href=\"#fnref2\">2.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/XZm61YhK\" target=\"_blank\">(2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn3\" href=\"#fnref3\">3.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 1.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn4\" href=\"#fnref4\">4.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/49dWtx82\" target=\"_blank\">Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn5\" href=\"#fnref5\">5.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline-style: none; text-underline-mode: continuous;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 2.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn6\" href=\"#fnref6\">6.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 27.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn7\" href=\"#fnref7\">7.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 1.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn8\" href=\"#fnref8\">8.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 28.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn9\" href=\"#fnref9\">9.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn10\" href=\"#fnref10\">10.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn11\" href=\"#fnref11\">11.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 29.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn12\" href=\"#fnref12\">12.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 28.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn13\" href=\"#fnref13\">13.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 30.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn14\" href=\"#fnref14\">14.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 29.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn15\" href=\"#fnref15\">15.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/936Yxpk3\" target=\"_blank\">1961 SCC OnLine SC 358.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn16\" href=\"#fnref16\">16.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/936Yxpk3\" target=\"_blank\">1961 SCC OnLine SC 358.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn17\" href=\"#fnref17\">17.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 35.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn18\" href=\"#fnref18\">18.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 37.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn19\" href=\"#fnref19\">19.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn20\" href=\"#fnref20\">20.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn21\" href=\"#fnref21\">21.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 38.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn22\" href=\"#fnref22\">22.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 37.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn23\" href=\"#fnref23\">23.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 40.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn24\" href=\"#fnref24\">24.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 41.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn25\" href=\"#fnref25\">25.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 42.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn26\" href=\"#fnref26\">26.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 43.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn27\" href=\"#fnref27\">27.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn28\" href=\"#fnref28\">28.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/qbYGeSxa\" target=\"_blank\">Civil Procedure Code, 1908, S. 9.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn29\" href=\"#fnref29\">29.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/qbYGeSxa\" target=\"_blank\">Civil Procedure Code, 1908, S. 9<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn30\" href=\"#fnref30\">30.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/936Yxpk3\" target=\"_blank\">1961 SCC OnLine SC 358.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn31\" href=\"#fnref31\">31.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Moran Mar Marthoma case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286<\/a>, para 29.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn32\" href=\"#fnref32\">32.<\/a> Ankit Tripathi, &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Times of India Blog<\/span>, 17-1-2020).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn33\" href=\"#fnref33\">33.<\/a> Ankit Tripathi, &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Times of India Blog<\/span>, 17-1-2020).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn34\" href=\"#fnref34\">34.<\/a> Ankit Tripathi, &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Times of India Blog<\/span>, 17-1-2020).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn35\" href=\"#fnref35\">35.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn36\" href=\"#fnref36\">36.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/k4viekQA\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art. 25.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn37\" href=\"#fnref37\">37.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/k4viekQA\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art. 25.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn38\" href=\"#fnref38\">38.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn39\" href=\"#fnref39\">39.<\/a> Ankit Tripathi, &#8220;Intervention of Courts in Religious Matters: Time to Develop &#8216;Doctrine of Religious Questions&#8217; in India?&#8221; (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Times of India Blog<\/span>, 17-1-2020).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn40\" href=\"#fnref40\">40.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn41\" href=\"#fnref41\">41.<\/a> .<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn42\" href=\"#fnref42\">42.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn43\" href=\"#fnref43\">43.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn44\" href=\"#fnref44\">44.<\/a> .<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn45\" href=\"#fnref45\">45.<\/a> .<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn46\" href=\"#fnref46\">46.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn47\" href=\"#fnref47\">47.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn48\" href=\"#fnref48\">48.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn49\" href=\"#fnref49\">49.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn50\" href=\"#fnref50\">50.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn51\" href=\"#fnref51\">51.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn52\" href=\"#fnref52\">52.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/XZm61YhK\" target=\"_blank\">(2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn53\" href=\"#fnref53\">53.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/XZm61YhK\" target=\"_blank\">(2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn54\" href=\"#fnref54\">54.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn55\" href=\"#fnref55\">55.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/XZm61YhK\" target=\"_blank\">(2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn56\" href=\"#fnref56\">56.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn57\" href=\"#fnref57\">57.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn58\" href=\"#fnref58\">58.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn59\" href=\"#fnref59\">59.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/XZm61YhK\" target=\"_blank\">(2014) 3 WLR 1 : 2014 UKSC 33.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn60\" href=\"#fnref60\">60.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn61\" href=\"#fnref61\">61.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn62\" href=\"#fnref62\">62.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn63\" href=\"#fnref63\">63.<\/a> Satvinder S. Juss, &#8220;The Justiciability of Religion&#8221;, Journal of Law and Religion (cambridge.org, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Cambridge Core<\/span>, 23-10-2017).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn64\" href=\"#fnref64\">64.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/oP51mb77\" target=\"_blank\">1995 Supp (4) SCC 286.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Sonakshi Vijay Rajan*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8808,"featured_media":343238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42503,1191],"tags":[33116,8331,29550,79557,79556,79555],"class_list":["post-343237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-analysis","category-op-ed","tag-civil-nature","tag-civil-procedure-code","tag-civil-proceedings","tag-jacobian-christian","tag-religious-disputes","tag-role-of-civil-courts"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.4 (Yoast SEO v26.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Defining the Role of Civil Courts in Religious Disputes | SCC Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This article aims to analyse Most Rev. 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