In a potentially landmark development for LGBTQ+ rights in India, the Delhi High Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre and National Medical Commission (NMC) on a plea demanding recognition of same-sex partners as legitimate decision-makers in medical treatment.
The petition, filed by a same-sex couple living together in Delhi since 2018, flagged the absence of any legal or regulatory framework enabling them to act as each other&rsquo;s medical representatives. The couple argued that their families reside in different regions, making them inaccessible during emergencies, underscoring the urgent need for policy reform.
Current regulations under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, only allow spouses, parents, or guardians to provide medical consent. This, the petition contends, effectively excludes same-sex partners, violating Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.
Senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, representing the petitioners, stated the plea seeks to fill a critical legal vacuum and uphold the right to care for one&rsquo;s chosen partner during health emergencies. The petition also calls for guidelines to permit advance medical power of attorney by non-heterosexual partners.
The case will next be heard on October 27. This comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court&rsquo;s 2023 verdict denying legal recognition of same-sex marriages but urging governments to prevent discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

Delhi HC Mulls Medical Rights for Same-Sex Couples

Plea seeks legal recognition of same-sex partners as decision-makers during treatment

Delhi HC Mulls Medical Rights for Same-Sex Couples

Plea seeks legal recognition of same-sex partners as decision-makers during treatment

July 17, 2025 | 22:40 IST