Editorial Note: Navtej Singh Johar Special Issue
Devashri Mishra & Aashesh Singh*
Volume 13 Issue 3 (2020)
In Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India the Court read down §377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which criminalises “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal”, or commonly, unnatural intercourse. It is perhaps one of the most socially and constitutionally historic verdicts of our times. However, while acknowledging the verdict’s significance, it is crucial to also acknowledge the several questions thrown up by commentators in the decision’s anticipation and the aftermath. As an attempt to answer some of these questions, supplement the growing body of literature on this matter and carry forward the legacy of previous Editorial Boards, we have put together the present Special Issue on the Navtej Singh Johar verdict. This consolidated Special Issue of the NUJS Law Review is a humble addition to this growing body of literature, a celebration and criticism of the judgment through its various articles, and a tribute to those who have silently but arduously undertaken the grassroots movement which brought about the decision in Navtej. Through this Issue, the NUJS Law Review and the authors hope to respond to the Courts in a manner not possible within the Courtroom. This Issue acts as a companion to the previously published Navtej Singh Johar Special Issue in Vol. 12(3-4), 2019.