Hijab row: Karnataka High Court refers matter to larger bench

BENGALURU – A single-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court, hearing petitions seeking relief regarding wearing of hijab in colleges, on Wednesday referred the case to a larger bench, said the media reports.

"This is a fit case for inquiry by the Chief Justice. The bench of Karnataka High Court Ritu Raj Awasthi has the authority to form an extended bench to hear the case. This matter needs urgent hearing, submit complaints and documents to the bench of Chief Justice," said Justice Krishna S Dixit.

"The decision on interim order regarding uniform and wearing of hijab shall also be taken by the Chief Justice. In view of the enormity of questions of importance which were debated, the court is of the considered opinion that the Chief Justice should decide if a larger bench can be constituted in the subject matter," he said.

The court ruled that the bench was also of the view that the interim prayers should also be placed before larger bench that may be constituted by Chief Justice Awasthi exercising his discretion.

The case had been filed by a group of Muslim girls studying in government colleges in the Udupi district against a ban on wearing hijabs in classrooms.