On Monday, the Supreme Court heard the petitions to give legal recognition to same sex marriage. The Supreme Court has now handed over the matter to a five-judge constitution bench. The next hearing on this will be held on April 18. The court has termed the matter as an issue of ‘fundamental importance’.
Let us tell you, the court has given three weeks time to the petitioners to respond to the affidavit of the Central Government. The Center has opposed petitions to legalize same-sex marriage. The central government said that it would be against India’s social beliefs and family system.
A bench of Chief Justice Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha and Justice JB Pardiwala said that the issue is the interplay of constitutional rights on the one hand and special legislative enactments including the Special Marriage Act on the other. The bench said, “We are of the opinion that it would be appropriate if the issues raised are resolved by a 5-judge bench with regard to Article 145(3) of the Constitution. Thus, we direct the matter to be referred to a Constitution Bench of five judges.”
Live streaming will be heard on April 18
The court has said that live streaming of the hearing will be done in front of a five-judge bench. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, urged the court not to cut short the arguments of both the sides on the issue of same-sex marriage as the judgment would have an impact on the entire society.
At the same time, the Center has opposed this matter. The government says that legalizing same-sex marriage would lead to a “complete destruction” of the delicate balance between personal law and accepted social values.
