India's top court refers same-sex marriage recognition case to 5-judge bench

FILE PHOTO: Cameras are seen outside the premises of India's Supreme Court in New Delhi, October 13, 2022. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's Supreme Court on Monday said a five-judge bench will start hearing final arguments over granting legal recognition to same-sex marriages on April 18, proceedings of which will be live-streamed on its website and Youtube.

The case is being seen as a milestone event for LGBT rights in the country. India's top court decriminalised homosexuality in 2018 by scrapping a colonial-era ban on gay sex.