The court said that gay relationships constituted an "unnatural offence" and that Indian society was not ready for it.
The Foundation appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court. Friday two justices sent the case back to the lower court for reconsideration.
The justices noted that the Delhi court had not bothered to hear arguments before ruling.
Gays have been fighting the sodomy law with no success for years, Under the law, which dates back to British rule, anyone convicted is sentenced to prison with hard labor. The maximum is ten years behind bars.
The government has fought attempts to challenge the law in court. But following the Supreme Court ruling the government suggested times are changing in India.
[ 03 February 2006: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]
From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003
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Stockholm
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3138
posted 06 February 2006 11:02 AM
Something like 20% of the world's population lives in India so this would be a major step!
From: Toronto | Registered: Sep 2002
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Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795
posted 06 February 2006 11:12 AM
Here's a stat that I heard on CBC Radio Overnight last night that might help put it in perspective. The Indian "middle class" is larger than the population of either Europe or North America. Now, granted, the number of gays and lesbians will be much smaller, but even still, in a population that big, it has the potential to affect many, many lives.
From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003
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