NEW DELHI: In a highly anticipated legal event, the Supreme Court is poised to unveil its decision regarding the official recognition of same-sex marriages on October 17. The apex court had diligently held its judgment since May 11, examining a series of pleas advocating for the legal validation of same-sex unions. The five-judge Constitution bench, helmed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and featuring Justices SK Kaul, SR Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha, has been diligently presiding over these pivotal cases.

Throughout the extensive hearings, petitioners passionately argued that "India's cultural foundation is rooted in the institution of marriage" and maintained that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) couples should be endowed with identical rights to those enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Such rights encompass the recognition of "spouse" status in matters pertaining to financial and insurance considerations, medical, inheritance, and succession decisions, as well as issues surrounding adoption and surrogacy.

The court faces several options as it contemplates the path forward:

Declare same-sex marriages as legally valid under the Special Marriage Act.

Override personal laws that may conflict with the recognition of same-sex unions.

Constitute a dedicated committee to deliberate on the matter and subsequently refer it to the Parliament for resolution.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will preside over the bench's momentous decision announcement at 10:30 am.

In the lead-up to this historical verdict, the nation is poised with bated breath for the Supreme Court's pronouncement on the recognition of same-sex marriages, signifying a significant moment in India's legal and societal landscape.

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