PM to take view on decriminalising gay sex

New Delhi, July 3 : After the Delhi High Court's landmark verdict decriminalising gay sex, the matter is now in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's court - on whether to amend the archaic law dealing with the issue.

'The prime minister has asked all three ministries - home, law and health - to sit and take a view,' Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily told reporters Friday.

He said they are now 'going to analyse it'.

'We will be submitting the report to the prime minister,' he said.

The Delhi High Court ruled Thursday that gay sex among consenting adults was no crime, triggering celebrations among gay activists. However, many religious leaders have denounced the ruling.

The court struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), to emphasise that the constitution guaranteed homosexuals rights equal to those of other citizens.

The bench also said the judgement would hold till parliament amended the law.

The high court verdict assumes importance as the government has been grappling with the option to scrap Section 377 from the statute.

--IANS