New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred
its hearing on the issue of decriminalisation of gay sex among
consenting adults in private and listed the case for a final
hearing in February 2012.
A bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi adjourned the
hearing on the matter after the lawyers involved in the case
pleaded that they want to argue the case extensively and it
would take time.
The apex court was hearing petitions filed by anti-gay
rights activists and also by political, social and religious
organisations which have opposed the Delhi High Court verdict
decriminalising homosexual behaviour.
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 BP 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 also 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
First Published: Tuesday, November 08, 2011, 21:22