Same-Sex Marriage: The fourth day of hearing in the Supreme Court on a batch of pleas seeking legal sanction for same-sex marriage witnessed proceedings in hybrid mode as two judges of the bench joined virtually, reported PTI. The Constitution Bench hearing the matter consists of five judges that include Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, Justice Hima Kohli, Justice PS Narasimha, Justice SK Kaul and Justice SR Bhat.
While the first three named above sat in the courtroom, Justice Kaul and Justice Bhat joined the proceedings virtually.
Informing about the reasons for the same, the CJI said, "We will have a hybrid Constitution bench hearing today because Justice Kaul is recovering from a fall. Justice Bhat tested positive (for COVID-19) on Friday. So, they have joined virtually."
According to PTI, CJI Chandrachud also told Justice Kaul that if he wants, the bench will take a small break in between so that he would be comfortable during the day-long hearing.
The fourth day of the hearing resumed with senior advocate Geeta Luthra, appearing for the petitioners, advancing her submissions, mentioned PTI in its report.
Hearing On Fourth Day
On the fourth-day of the hearing, Justice Bhat said he has noticed that four to five volumes of documents, including the entire judgment in the historic Kesavananda Bharati case that laid down the path-breaking concept of the "basic structure" of the Constitution, have been filed in the matter, reported PTI.
"We have put the entire volume of the Kesavananda Bharati case and everything associated with it on the web page (of the apex court). Who has included this here?" the CJI asked.
Notably, the top court had on Monday dedicated to people, including researchers, a web page containing details of the arguments, written submissions and judgment in the historic Kesavananda Bharati case. It was done as Monday was the 50th anniversary of the landmark Kesavananda Bharati verdict.
Parents Of LGBTQIA+ Members Write To CJI
Amid the ongoing hearing, parents of over 400 LGBTQIA+ members have written an open letter to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud appealing that a 'Marriage Equality' case be considered by the apex court.
They have expressed their desire to see their children and children-in-law find legal acceptance in society for their relationship under the Special Marriages Act in India.
The parents, who are from a group called Sweekar - The RainbowParents, said in the letter, "From knowing about gender and sexuality, to understanding the lives of our children, to finally accepting their sexuality and their loved one - we have gone through the whole gamut of emotions. We empathise with those who are opposing Marriage Equality, because some of us were there too. It took us education, debate and patience with our LGBTQIA+ children to realise that their lives, their feelings and their desires are valid. Similarly, we hope that those who oppose Marriage Equality will come around too. We have faith in the people of India, the constitution and the democracy of our nation."
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