SC defers hearing on decriminalisation of gay sex

New Delhi, April 19: The Supreme Court today (April 19) deferred its hearing on the issue of legalisation and decriminalisation of gay sex among consenting adults in private.

A bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi adjourned the matter without specifying the date of the next hearing and said the same would be taken up after summer vacations.

The apex court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by gay rights activists and also by political, social and religious organisations, who have opposed the Delhi High Court verdict decriminalising homosexual behaviour.

Earlier, on February 7, the bench had refused to implead the armed forces in the case on the contentious issue.

People and organisations from different fields have come out in support for or against the path-breaking verdict of the Delhi High Court which had sparked a controversy.

Several political, social and religious outfits have asked the Supreme Court to give the final verdict on the issue.

Senior BJP leader B P Singhal, who had opposed in the High Court legalisation of gay sex, has challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court saying such acts are illegal, immoral and against ethos of Indian culture.

Religious organisations like All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Utkal Christian Council and Apostolic Churches Alliance have opposed the High Court's verdict.

Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Right, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munn Kazhgam, astrologer Suresh Kumar Kaushal and yoga guru Ramdev have also opposed the verdict in the apex court.

PTI