The Supreme court, on Friday, transferred to itself a number of petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriage that were various High Courts including Delhi, Kerala and Gujarat high courts.
Seeking the Centre’s response on the petitions seeking legal sanction for same sex marriage, the court ordered the listing of the matters on March 13 for hearing.
Transferring the petitions pending before various high courts including Delhi, Kerala and Gujarat, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud heading a bench also comprising Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice J B Pardiwala, said since the issue involved in all the matters is the same, we are of the view that they should be transferred and decided by the top court.
The top court also agreed to provide a virtual platform for the appearance to those petitioners who cannot engage lawyers or travel to Delhi.
Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy appeared for a same sex couple who sought transfer of their case to the Supreme Court.
The Delhi High Court was hearing various petition relating to legal recognition of same sex marriage under Foreign Marriage Act and the Special Marriage Act.
Earlier the Supreme Court had agreed to examine two separate petition seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage under Special Marriage Act.