Batch of Petitions seeking same-sex marriage recognition to be heard after vacations: SC

A lawyer on Friday mentioned a petition before the Supreme Court that sought to equalise marriage under the Special Marriage Act.

Advocate Shadan Farasat, counsel for the petition,  presented the plea before the bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachu.

Chief Justice Chandrachud stated that the subject petition along with the other petitions would be discussed soon after the court reopens after winter vacations.

Two same-sex couples had previously filed a petition with the apex court to have their marriages recognised legally under the Special Marriage Act.

Another plea, which has been waiting to be considered at the Delhi High Court, sought transfer of the petition to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre on these two separate petitions on November 25. It also noted that various arguments concerning same-sex marriage issues are being heard in various high courts, including Kerala and Delhi.

The apex court also took notice of a declaration the Center had made to the High Court, stating that the Ministry was taking steps to move all appeals to the Supreme Court.

One of the petitions brought up the issue of the lack of a legal framework allowing members of the LGBTQ plus community to marry whoever they choose. In the earlier petition, the pair argued that the basic right of LGBTQ plus people to marry whoever they want should be protected from the disapproval of legislative and popular majorities.