SC stays HC decision on ‘santhara’

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the operation of a Rajasthan High Court order terming as illegal the religious practice of “santhara”, a ritual of fasting until death prevalent among Jain community members. “Issue notice. Leave granted,” a bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice Amitava Roy said while staying the HC order and issuing notices to the Centre, Rajasthan and others. The bench was hearing a batch of petitions filed by various religious bodies of Jain community members against the High Court order on santhara.