New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India will on Thursday pronounce the much-awaited judgment on a group of petitions that had challenged the constitutional legitimacy of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which criminalizes unnatural (gay) sex. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra wills delivers the judgment. The Top court bench had reserved the decision on July 17 after hearing the arguments.

The hearings on the controversial issue had begun on July 10 and were continued over four days. The judges on the bench include Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra. The verdict was likely before October 2 as Chief Justice Misra is going to retire on that day.

What is Section 377?

 According to the section 377 deals with 'unnatural offences' and lays down that whoever voluntarily indulges in carnal intercourse not in favor of the nature with any man, woman or animal, shall face a sentence of life imprisonment, or prison of either account for a maximum term of 10 years, and shall also face a fine.

The Apex Court had invalidated the HC verdict in 2013 and also soon after turned down the review of plea. A decision of restorative petitions is still waiting.