Hyderabad gay couple seeks legal sanctity; SC issues notice to Centre

HYDERABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Centre in a public interest litigation filed by a gay couple from Hyderabad seeking recognition of same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act of 1954.

The gay couple, who married in a lavish ceremony in Hyderabad in January 2022, petitioned the Supreme Court for legal recognition of same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act as well as appropriate direction to authorities concerned to allow them to solemnise their marriage.

According to reports, a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud issued notices to the Centre and the Attorney General of India, asking them to furnish their responses in four weeks with regard to the case.

The petitioners filed the Public Interest Litigation under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution in the interests of the LGBTQ+ community. The petition emphasised the lack of a framework that permitted members of the LGBTQ+ community to marry anyone they choose.