Fight against Section 377: The journey so far

The Supreme Court on Tuesday referred a curative petition, seeking review of its verdict criminalising gay sex to a five-judge constitution bench. With this, the members of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community see a light of hope which was dashed by the apex court in 2013 when in held that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code -- which criminalises homosexuality -- is not unconstitutional.

Following is a chronology of events relating to proceedings on the issue.

2001

Naz Foundation, a non-governmental organisation fighting for gay rights, files a public interest litigation in the Delhi high court, seeking legalisation of gay sex among consenting adults.

2004

September: The high court dismisses the PIL seeking de-criminalisation of gay sex. Gay right activists file review petition.

November 3: HC dismisses the review plea.

December: Gay rights activists approach SC against HC order.

2006

April 3: SC remands the case back to the Delhi HC, directs it to reconsider the matter on merit.

October 4: The high court allows senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader B P Singhal’s plea, opposing decriminalising gay sex, to be impleaded in the case.

2008

September 18: The Centre seeks more time to take a stand on the issue after contradictory stands between the ministries of home affairs and health over decriminalisation of homosexuality. HC refuses the plea and final argument in the case begins.

September 25: Gay rights activists contend that the government cannot infringe upon their fundamental right to equality by criminalising homosexual acts on the ground of morality.

September 26: HC pulls up the Centre for speaking in two voices on homosexuality law in view of contradictory affidavits filed by the MHA and health the ministry.

September 26: The Centre says gay sex is immoral and a reflection of a perverse mind and its decriminalisation would lead to moral degradation of society.

October 15: HC pulls up the Centre for relying on religious texts to justify ban on gay sex and asks it to come up with scientific reports to justify it.

November: The government in its written submission before HC says judiciary should refrain from interfering in the issue as it is basically for Parliament to decide.

November 7: HC reserves verdict on pleas filed by gay rights activists seeking decriminalisation of homosexual acts.

2009

July 2: HC allows plea of gay rights activists and legalises sexual activity among consenting adults of same sex.

July 9: Delhi astrologer challenges the HC verdict in the SC. Later, several others -- including BJP leader Singhal (since dead), religious organisations, rights activists and yoga guru Ramdev’s disciple -- also oppose the judgement.

2012

February 15: SC begins final day-to-day hearing in the case.

Mar 27: SC reserves verdict.

2013

Dec 11: SC sets aside the 2009 Delhi HC order which had decriminalised gay sex.

Dec 20: The Centre files review petition in the SC seeking re-examination of its verdict.

Dec 24: Gay rights activists file review petition in the SC seeking re-examination of its verdict.

2014

Jan 28: SC refuses to review its verdict on criminalising gay sex, dismisses pleas of Centre, activists.

Apr 3: SC agrees to consider for an open court hearing on curative petitions filed by gay rights activists against its verdict criminalising homosexuality.

2016

Feb 2: SC refers curative pleas on homosexuality to five-judge bench.