High Court dismisses case against gay rally

Gay activists, who recently marched in the Capital demanding decriminalisation of homosexual acts among consenting adults, get a shot in the arm with the Delhi High Court finding nothing "unusual" in holding such a rally.

“There is nothing unusual about such rallies. It is held all over the world.” This is how the Delhi High Court reacted to submissions on Friday against recent march in the capital by gay activists. The June 29 rally had demanded decriminalisation of homosexual acts among consenting adults.

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The court is at present hearing a petition filed by NGO Naz Foundation seeking the court’s direction to declare Section 377 of IPC, which provides punishment upto life sentence for indulging in homosexual acts, as “unconstitutional” as it violated a citizen’s fundamental right.

“Such marches are held all over the world. Recently in London more that five lakh people were on the streets for the cause,” Justice A.K. Sikri said, dismissing objections raised by anti-gay rights activists, including RSS idealogue B.P. Singhal, over the rally.

The anti-gay right activists are a party in the case as they have been opposing the Foundation’s plea in court.