Gay rights activists rejoice as SC strikes down Section 377

Guwahati (Assam), September 6, 2018:

A five-judge Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court has struck down IPC Section 377 in four separate but concurring judgments on Thursday.

Headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, the Bench had Justices Fali Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, Indu Malhotra and DY Chandrachud as members.

Earlier, five separate petitions were filed by dancer Navtej Jauhar, journalist Sunil Mehra, chef Ritu Dalmia, hoteliers Aman Nath and Keshav Suri and business executive Ayesha Kapur.

The apex court’s legalizing homosexuality and decriminalizing IPC Section 377 evoked joy among gay rights activists who celebrated the verdict.

IPC Section 377 says: “Whoever voluntarily has carnal inter­course against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life], or with impris­onment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.” The law, dating back to 1861, criminalizes sexual activities against the order of nature.