SC refuses to reconsider same-sex marriage order

THE TOP COURT SAID THAT THE REVIEW PETITION LACKED SUFFICIENT MERIT TO WARRANT RECONSIDERATION OF ITS RULING

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain review petitions challenging its October 2023 judgment that denied legal recognition to same-sex marriages and civil unions, dealing a setback to members of the LGBTQIA+ community and advocates for marriage equality rights.

A five-judge bench, comprising justices Bhushan R Gavai, Surya Kant, BV Nagarathna, PS Narasimha and Dipankar Datta, concluded in chamber proceedings that the review petitions lacked sufficient merit to warrant reconsideration of the earlier ruling or an open court hearing.

While the previous judgment was by 3-2, the dismissal of review petitions is unanimously by five judges, in a reasoned order. This effectively puts to rest any judicial reconsideration of the October 2023 verdict, which had declined to extend marriage and civil union rights to same-sex couples in a 3-2 ruling, even as the petitioners retain the option of moving a curative plea as the ultimate legal recourse.