Gay Marriage: SC Seeks Central Govt’s Opinion on Registration of Same-Sex Marriage

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Friday asked for the Centre’s stance on a plea seeking registration of same-sex marriages under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

The case was heard by a two-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli. The SC will have the next hearing of the case in four weeks.

The apex court has issued separate notices to the Central government and the Attorney General of India regarding the matter.

The petitioners, in this case, are Supriyo Chakraborty and Abhay Dang. They are a same-sex couple from Hyderabad. They allege that non-recognition of same-sex marriage amounted to discrimination, reported Live Law.

They want legal recognition of same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act, and to issue appropriate directions to authorities concerned to allow them to solemnise their marriage.

The petition raised the issue of the absence of a legal framework that allowed members of the LGBTQ+ community to marry any person of their choice.