Indian court to rule on overturning law that bans gay sex

INDIA’S government yesterday asked the country’s top court to rule on whether to repeal or keep a controversial law that criminalises homosexual acts. Tushar Mehta, the government attorney, asked the court to decide on the issue of consensual sexual activity between two adults.

He urged the five judges hearing the issue not to widen the scope of the court decision to issues such as gay marriages, adoption and inheritance.

The Supreme Court is hearing petitions by activists challenging the law that makes gay sex punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

“We leave to the wisdom of the court to deal with the validity of Section 377 (of the penal code) so far as it relates to consensual sexual acts between two adults,” the Press Trust of India news agency quoted Mr Mehta as telling the five judges.

Over the past decade, homosexuals have gained a degree of acceptance in India, especially in big cities. However, being gay is largely seen as shameful in most of the country, and many homosexuals do not reveal their sexuality.