Supreme Court to Hear Review Pleas on Same-Sex Marriage Verdict on January 9.

New Delhi:

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court is set to hear the review petitions related to its October 2023 verdict, which had declined to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages in India. The review hearings are scheduled for January 9, 2025, and will be considered in chambers by Justices B R Gavai, Surya Kant, B V Nagarathna, P S Narasimha, and Dipankar Datta.

The review petitions have been filed by several petitioners seeking a re-evaluation of the earlier judgment, which had turned down the legal sanction for same-sex marriages, citing the absence of legislative backing. The petitioners have argued that the decision was not in line with constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination.

As per established practice, review pleas are typically heard in chambers rather than in open court, and the judges will consider the petitions privately. The Supreme Court had previously declined an open-court hearing for these review pleas, opting for an in-chamber consideration.

This review hearing holds significant importance for the LGBTQ+ community, as it could pave the way for a landmark decision that may reshape the legal landscape concerning same-sex relationships and marriage rights in India. The case has drawn widespread attention, with advocates, activists, and concerned citizens eagerly awaiting the outcome.

The bench will deliberate on around 13 petitions in total, all seeking a reexamination of the October 2023 judgment. The ruling made in that judgment had dashed hopes for the LGBTQ+ community, leading to the filing of these review petitions, which could potentially lead to a shift in the legal stance regarding same-sex marriages in India.

As the January 9 date approaches, the nation waits to see if the apex court will take a progressive step toward legalizing same-sex marriages or if it will uphold its previous stance on the issue.