Section 377 Verdict: Supreme Court says ‘homosexuality no longer a crime’

The Supreme Court of India has given the big decision on Section 377 by saying that homosexuality is not a crime today. Now, SC has legalized gay sex and decriminalized Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra and comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud, Rohinton Fali Nariman, A M Khanwilkar and Indu Malhotra, issued the verdict on a bunch of petitions filed to scrap the law. The bench had earlier reserved its verdict on July 17.

'Celebrations in Chennai after Supreme Court in a unanimous decision decriminalises #Section377 and legalises homosexuality.'

Criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible, observed the CJI while delivering the verdict. The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community has same rights as any other citizen, the CJI added. Respect for each other's rights and others are supreme humanity, observed the bench unanimously while saying that the right to live with dignity is right.

-With ANI inputs

Also read: Section 377 Verdict: CJI Dipak Misra to pronounce the big decision today before his retirement; all you need to know about this controversial issue