The Supreme Court will deliver its judgement on various petitions pertaining to marriage equality rights for the LGBTQIA+ community on Tuesday.According to the sources, a bench of five-judge Constitution comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha will deal with a batch of petitions pertaining to marriage equality rights for LGBTQIA+ community.In the matter, the constitution bench began the hearing on April 18 and the hearing went on for nearly 10 days. After which the order was reserved on May 11 after counsel from all sides concluded their arguments.Different petitions requesting the legal recognition of same-sex marriage have been heard by the highest court. An earlier petition brought up the issue of there being no legal framework allowing members of the LGBTQIA+ community to marry whoever they choose.The court has stated that it would resolve the issue in accordance with the provisions of the Special Marriage Act and will not depend on any personal laws in this regard. Senior solicitors Saurabh Kirpal and Mukul Rohatgi argued the petition.The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has informed the Supreme Court that adoption is not a substitute for biological birth in heterosexual couple households because the entire legal system is framed with the welfare of the child as its primary concern. Additionally, on April 18 the Centre sent a letter to the states requesting their thoughts on the subject of same-sex marriage.Notably, States of Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan have opposed the legal recognition of same-sex marriages in the country.Heres what LGBT rights activist Arundhati Katju said ahead of verdict today“We have been waiting (for the Supreme Court judgment) for so many years, well give a statement once the verdict comes,” says advocate and LGBT rights activist Arundhati Katju ahead of Supreme Courts expected verdict on pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriage.VIDEO | We have been waiting (for the Supreme Court judgment) for so many years, well give a statement once the verdict comes, says advocate and LGBT rights activist Arundhati Katju ahead of Supreme Courts expected verdict on pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex… pic.twitter.com/iLAbw9qAU8— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 17, 2023
