India’s top court rules against allowing same-sex marriages

The petitioners – a diverse group of same-sex couples – had argued that India’s constitution guaranteed equality and urged the Supreme Court to recognise the unions under the Special Marriage Act, a secular law in India that has been used to legalise intercaste and inter-religious marriages.

The Indian Supreme Court ruling leaves Taiwan and Nepal as the only Asian jurisdictions among more than 30 worldwide that permit same-sex marriage.

‘Trauma, alienation’ still haunt LGBTQ Indians after end of gay sex ban: judge

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has acknowledged the practical difficulties faced by same-sex couples and offered to form a panel to look into steps that could minimise these issues. The petitioning parties, however, insisted on a court ruling.

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of India heard arguments in the case between April and May.