One-liner: The court can't make law but only interpret it and it is for Parliament to change the Special Marriage Act, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud said on Tuesday while pronouncing his verdict on 21 pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages.
Four judgements: At the outset, Justice Chandrachud said there are four judgments -- by himself, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, S Ravindra Bhat and P S Narasimha -- in the matter. Justice Hima Kohli is also a part of the five-judge bench.
Queer is natural phenomenon: Directing the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that the queer community is not discriminated against, the CJI, who is heading the constitution bench, said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.
Certain rights for queers: Justice Kaul said he agrees with the CJI on the grant of certain rights to queer couples.
Just Bhat differs with CJI: Justice Bhat, who read out the operative portion of his verdict, said he agrees and differs with views of the CJI on certain points.
Parliament must decide: Delivering his verdict on the critical issue, the CJI said it is for Parliament to decide whether there is a need for a change in the regime of the Special Marriage Act.
Centre forming panel on rights for queers: Justice Chandrachud said the court has recorded Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's statement that the Centre will form a committee to decide the rights and entitlements of persons in queer unions.
Centre, states asked to sensitise public about queers: While reading out the operative portion of his verdict, he directed the Centre, states and UTs to take steps to sensitise public about queer rights and ensure that inter-sex children are not allowed sex-change operations at an age they cannot fully comprehend consequence.
Direction to police: The CJI directed the police to conduct a preliminary enquiry before registering an FIR against queer couple over their relationship.
Issue not an urban concept: He said homosexuality or queerness is not an urban concept or restricted to the upper class.
Choosing life partner linked to liberty: Justice Chandrachud said the ability to choose a life partner goes to the roots of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Failure to recognise is discriminatory: The right to enter into a union includes the right to choose a partner and its recognition, the CJI said, adding that failure to recognise such an association would be discriminatory.
Equity demand recognised: The CJI said this court has recognised that equality demands that queer persons are not discriminated against.