From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: In yet another fresh affidavit in various petitions seeking legal recognition of the same-sex marriage, the Centre on Wednesday urged the top court to make the states and Union Territories a party in the matter.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court that the Centre has written to all states on April 18, inviting their comments on the seminal issue raised in the present batch of petitions. He said the said issue goes to the root of the present matter and has far-rachingimplications.
It urged the top court to either involve all states and Union Territories or as an alternative allow the Centre to finish the consultative process with the states and compile the same before the court and only thereafter adjudicate on the present issue.
Centre, in the fresh affidavit, submitted it is clear that the rights of the States, especially the right to legislate on the subject, will be affected by any decision on the subject. Centre, in the affidavit, submitted before SC various States have already legislated on the subject through delegated legislations, therefore making them a necessary and proper party to be heard in the present case.
Centre, in the affidavit, submitted in such a matter wherein legislative rights of the States under the Seventh Schedule and the rights of the residents of the States are clearly in question, it was the bounden duty of the Petitioners to make all States a party to the present litigation.
