New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday transferred to itself all petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriage pending before different high courts including Delhi, Kerala and Gujarat. Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala asked the Centre to file its joint reply to all the petitions on the issue by February 15 and directed that all the petitions will be listed in March.
The court said that it is of the view that the pending petitions before various High Courts including Delhi, Kerala and Gujarat involving the same subject, should be transferred and decided by the top court, since there are several batches of them pending in the court. The top court also agreed to provide a virtual platform for appearances to those petitioners who cannot engage counsel here or travel to Delhi.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on March 13, 2023, and also sought the Centre's response to the petitions and asked the government to file a counter affidavit. The court was hearing various petitions seeking to transfer plea relating to legal recognition of same-sex marriage from the Delhi High Court to it.
The couple was represented by Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy who sought a transfer of the plea. The plea was filed t hrough an advocate on record Shally Bhasin. The Delhi High Court was hearing various petitions relating to the legal recognition of same-sex marriage under the Foreign Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act.
