SC To Deliver Verdict On Legality Of Same-Sex Marriage Today

The Supreme Court will deliver on Tuesday its verdict on whether same-sex marriages should be legally recognised in India.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud reserved its judgment after a 10-day hearing in the matter. The judgment will be delivered on Tuesday and accordingly, the information will be updated on the apex court website, PTI reported citing sources.

The bench heard the rejoinder arguments advanced by senior advocates, including A M Singhvi, Raju Ramachandran, K V Viswanathan, Anand Grover and Saurabh Kirpal, who represented the petitioners.

During the arguments, the Centre had told the apex court that any constitutional declaration made by it on pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage may not be a "correct course of action" as the court will not be able to foresee, envisage, comprehend and deal with its fallout.

The Centre had told the court that it had received responses from seven states on the issue of same-sex marriage and the governments of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Assam had opposed the petitioners' contention seeking legal validation for such wedlock.

The apex court had commenced hearing arguments in the matter on April 18.

The apex court heard 20 petitions, submitted by same-sex couples, transgender individuals, and LGBTQ+ activists. These petitions contested the clauses in the Special Marriage Act of 1954, Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, and Foreign Marriage Act of 1969 that do not acknowledge same-sex marriages.

Nevertheless, the Supreme Court has specified that it will limit its focus to the Special Marriage Act and refrain from making changes to personal laws.