JUDGEMENT COMMENT: SUPRIYO CHAKRABORTY & ANR V. UOI
JUDGEMENT COMMENT: SUPRIYO CHAKRABORTY & ANR V. UOI Saanjh Inuganti, Third Year B.A.LL. B student of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai (India) Download Manuscript doi.org/10.70183/lijdlr.2026.v04.48 The present article critically examines the landmark decision of the Supreme Court of India in Supriyo Chakraborty & Anr v. Union of India (2023), which addressed the question of legal recognition of same-sex marriages in India. The case arose from petitions filed by several same-sex couples seeking recognition of their unions under existing statutory frameworks, particularly the Special Marriage Act, 1954, the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969, and the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The petitioners contended that the exclusion of same-sex couples from the institution of marriage violates fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India, including equality before the law, non-discrimination, personal liberty, and the right to dignity. The Union of India opposed the petitions, arguing that the existing statutory scheme governing marriage was designed to regulate heterosexual unions and that recognition of same-sex marriage would involve complex policy considerations affecting multiple legislations. It was further argued that such a socio-legal transformation falls within the legislative domain rather than the judicial sphere. A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict (3:2) on 17 October 2023, declining to recognize same-sex marriages under existing law. While the majority held that there is no fundamental right to marry and that any recognition of same-sex marriage must come through legislative action, the Court unanimously affirmed the constitutional rights and dignity of LGBTQIA+ individuals. The decision nevertheless left open the possibility of future legislative reform. This article analyses the competing constitutional arguments presented before the Court, evaluates the reasoning adopted in the majority and minority opinions, and offers critical observations on the implications of the judgment for the evolving discourse on marriage equality and LGBTQIA+ rights in India.
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