In a major boost to homosexuals including gays and lesbians across the country, who are huge in numbers but aren’t coming out in the open fearing social boycott, the Supreme Court of India announced yesterday that it would be reviewing its 2013 verdict which said that homosexuality was a criminal offence.

The Delhi High Court had declared way back in 2009 that homosexuality wasn’t a crime but the same was overturned by the apex Court which issued an order in 2013 under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code making indulgence in homosexuality a criminal offence. 5 homosexuals had, in the meantime, preferred a petition with the apex Court challenging its 2013 verdict.

Giving hope to the members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community, the apex Court said that it would be reviewing its 2013 verdict which had pronounced that indulgence of consensual sexual relationships by adult members of this community would be viewed as criminal offence under Section 377 of IPC.

The apex Court said that a Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra would be hearing the petitions filed by the above-said transsexuals.  The Court also agreed that such rules ought to be reviewed and changed as per changing times.