Delhi High Court's final hearing on same-sex marriages next month

Delhi High Court's final hearing on same-sex marriages next month

Central government states law recognizes marriages only between biological men and women

On Monday, several pleas seeking recognition of same-sex marriage under the Special Marriages Act, Hindu Marriage Act and the Foreign Marriage Act were listed in the Delhi High Court.

A Bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh posted various petitions seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages in India for a final hearing on November 30.

Granting the parties time, Chief Justice Patel said, "In the meantime, if anyone wants to file a reply or rejoinder they may do so."

The Central government had earlier argued that despite the decriminalization of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), no fundamental right of same-sex marriage existed. It submitted that as the law stands in India, marriage could only be between a biological man and a biological woman.

On behalf of the government Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta told the court that the issue was whether the marriage was permissible between homosexual couples.

Meanwhile, appearing for another petitioner, advocate Karuna Nundy's concern was regarding the Foreign Marriages Act. She said that when a couple gets married in a country where same-sex marriage is allowed, they should be allowed to register their marriage in India.