India takes judicial leap, Saurabh Kirpal set to become first openly gay High Court judge

In the first instance of the elevation of an openly homosexual member of the judiciary to the bench, the Supreme Court has recommended the elevation of senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal as a judge of the Delhi High Court.

His name was first recommended by Delhi HC in 2017 but the SC collegium had deferred the decision thrice. The Centre too had objected to his appointment. According to a report by Print, the Centre told Chief Justice NV Ramana in April this year that they have apprehensions over Kirpal’s appointment as his partner is a foreign national.

If appointed, Kirpal would be India’s first openly gay judge.