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Ministers’ remarks against gay sex unwarranted: SC
The Supreme Court on Friday said the statements made by some Union ministers including law minister Kapil Sibal against its verdict on gay sex were "unwarranted" and "not in good taste" and asked them to refrain from doing so in future.
The Supreme Court on Friday said the recent statements by some Union ministers, including law minister Kapil Sibal, against its judgment recriminalising consensual homosexual acts, were “unwarranted” and “not in good taste”.
A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam took serious exception to the remarks and cautioned the politicians from doing so in future. The court’s observation came during the hearing of a PIL seeking action against the political leaders for making “irresponsible” statements on the verdict.
“We agree that some of the statements made are not in good taste. They are holding high posts and they have a responsibility. They must be cautious in making statements,” said the bench, also comprising justice Ranjan Gogoi.
The bench was visibly upset after reading the news reports, annexed with the PIL, carrying comments made by Sibal, IT minister Milind Deora, finance minister P Chidambaram and J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah. Filed by Delhi resident Purushotham Mulloli, the PIL sought a direction to remove the ministers for allegedly making contemptuous remarks.
Observing the statements were made “very casually”, the bench said the same was “not appreciable”.
“We take it as unwarranted comments,” it noted. The bench, however, said Chidambaram’s statement was not very objectionable.
Despite expressing its displeasure, the court declined to entertain the PIL.
