SC to hear on decriminalisation of gay sex on Tuesday

New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI) The Supreme Court of India is
likely to hear on Tuesday the issue of legalisation and
decriminalisation of gay sex among consenting adults in
private.
A bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi would be hearing
petitions filed by gay rights activists and political, social
and religious organisations who have opposed the Delhi High
Court verdict decriminalising homosexual behaviour.
On the last hearing 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 of 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
HC 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.