New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Thursday deferred a
decision on the suggestion of a three-member ministerial group
which went into the Delhi High Court judgement decriminalising
gay sex.
"The Home Minister was not present so it was not
discussed," I&B Minister Ambika Soni said when asked whether
the Cabinet discussed the ministerial team`s report which is
understood to have recommended not to contest the High Court
judgement.
Asked how the government proposed to go ahead in the
matter which is coming up for hearing before the Supreme Court
on Monday, Soni merely said "the law ministry will look into
it."
The Cabinet note is understood to have said that the three
ministries -- Home, Health and Law -- have agreed to the
document circulated by the Law Ministry suggesting that the
judgement should not be opposed in the Supreme Court.
Before finalising the note for the Union Cabinet, Home
Minister P Chidambaram, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and
Law Minister M Veerappa Moily had held series of meetings to
arrive at a conclusion on the issue.
The Supreme Court had on August 17 sought a response from
the government on petitions filed by a Christian body and a
disciple of Yoga guru Ramdev seeking a stay on the Delhi High
Court verdict legalising gay sex on the ground it will have a
catastrophic effect on the society`s moral fabric.
Bureau Report
