Supreme Court asks Centre to file its opinion on homosexual offence, in eight weeks

New Delhi, July20 (ANI): The Supreme Court has asked the central Government to file its response within eight weeks on the verdict of the Delhi High Court to decriminalise the homosexual behaviour of consensual adults, which was a crime as per Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Astrologer Manoj Kumar Kaushal, the apex court refused to give stay to the Delhi High Court's verdict.

The Court also asked the centre to speed up the response.

On July 2, a two Judge bench of the Delhi High Court gave ruling to decriminalise the homosexual behaviour.

NAZ Foundation, and other NGOs had filed a petition questioning the criminalisation of homosexual behaviour under Sec 377 of IPC.

But the Centre told the court that there id no change in its stand taken before the Delhi High Court, but to consolidate the opinions of the various departments it need some time.

Attorney General, G.E. Vahanavati said the Government has not filed any affidavit as yet.

Meanwhile, the Union Government has remained non-committal about its stand on the High Court verdict which has been opposed by different sections of society, including religious leaders of all communities and a child rights body, gay rights activists have drawn up a detailed strategy to defend the verdict.

Earlier the Law Ministry said it would not take any hasty decision in this regard, keeping the sentiments expressed by the various pressure groups and religious heads. (ANI)