Ministers' remarks on gay sex verdict not in good taste: SC

Comments made by Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal and others against gay sex verdict were on Friday described as “unwarranted and not in good taste” by the Supreme Court.

A bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Ranjan Gogoi expressed their displeasure over the statements but refused to initiate any action against them.

A PIL filed by 65-year-old Purushotham Mulloli sought removal of those Ministers for making alleged contemptuous remarks.

Advocate Harshvir Pratap Sharma, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that Union Ministers had violated the oath of office by criticising the apex court verdict on Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

The apex court, on December 11, reversed the 2009 Delhi High Court verdict, which had read down Section 377. The HC had held that two consenting adults belonging to same sex could have relationship without violating the law.

In view of remarks by Sibal, Transport Minister Milind Deora, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Minister of State for Home Affairs R P N Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the petitioner urged the apex court to declare their appointment as unconstitutional and illegal as it was their duty to respect the verdict and uphold the majesty of law.