India's Supreme Court legalizes gay sex
Sept 6, 2018 8:09:00 GMT
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Post by Pavan on Sept 6, 2018 8:09:00 GMT
In a historic verdict, India's Supreme Court ruled that gay sex is no longer a criminal offence in the country.
The ruling overturns a 2013 judgement that upheld a colonial-era law, known as section 377, under which gay sex is categorised as an "unnatural offence".
It is one of the world's oldest laws criminalising gay sex, and India had been reluctant to overturn it.
Campaigners outside the court cheered and some broke into tears as the ruling was handed down.
"Criminalising carnal intercourse is irrational, arbitrary and manifestly unconstitutional," Chief Justice Dipak Misra said while reading out his judgement.
Another judge, Indu Malhotra, said she believed "history owes an apology" to LGBT people for ostracising them.
The ruling overturns a 2013 judgement that upheld a colonial-era law, known as section 377, under which gay sex is categorised as an "unnatural offence".
It is one of the world's oldest laws criminalising gay sex, and India had been reluctant to overturn it.
Campaigners outside the court cheered and some broke into tears as the ruling was handed down.
"Criminalising carnal intercourse is irrational, arbitrary and manifestly unconstitutional," Chief Justice Dipak Misra said while reading out his judgement.
Another judge, Indu Malhotra, said she believed "history owes an apology" to LGBT people for ostracising them.
