NEW DELHI: Supreme Court will rule tomorrow on the petitions demanding the legalization of same-sex marriage. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will deliver the verdict. Justices SK Kaul, SR Bhatt, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha are the other members of the bench.

Supreme Court is considering petitions filed by homosexuals, transgender communities, LGBTQ plus activists and organizations seeking legal validity of same-sex marriage. The court had sought the opinion of the central government and the centre had sought the opinion of state governments on the matter.

The Center took a stance against legalizing same-sex marriage. The Center pointed out that Parliament should legislate on the matter. Also, the Center has announced that it is ready to grant some rights to same-sex couples without legalizing same-sex marriage. However, the petitioners argued that Parliament should not take a decision on this and the court itself should protect the fundamental rights of equality and end discrimination.

There has also been a demand for court guidance on matters such as the adoption of children once the marriage is valid. Although the Center asked for its opinion, many states including Kerala did not express their stand. Religious organizations such as Jamiat Ulama and All India Sannyasi Samiti had joined the case against same-sex marriage.