SC to hear petitions against gay sex in April

The Supreme Court today, Jan. 7, said it would hear all the petitions challenging the Delhi High Court judgment decriminalising homosexual relationship in April.

A two-judge Bench said it would hear the case only after the 19 petitioners submitted their arguments.

A final hearing will be held on April 19th.

"We have read through all the 19 petitioners and there is substantial matter in all. Hence, we will hear all the 19 petitions," the two-judge Bench said.

In 2009, the Delhi high court legalised gay sex among consenting adults after overturning a colonial law that earlier made it punishable with up to life imprisonment.

Religious organisations like All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Utkal Christian Council and Apostolic Churches Alliance challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court on grounds that it was "unnatural" and will have negative impact on the lives of people.

The petitioners also include social organisations and gay rights groups.

Church organisations have strongly condemned and called for a review of the court order that decriminalised gay sex between consenting adults by striking down section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).