LGBTQ Activist “Saurabh Kirpal” Likely To Be India’s First Gay Judge, Read His Story Here

Elevating to the post of the judge is not as challenging as it is for Saurabh Kirpal. He was rejected four times before his name was finally considered by SC for the post. Not because he is incapable but his sexual orientation was the reason. But the present is different and he is on the way to becoming the first gay judge in India.

If Union Government approves his name, he will write history. A  collegium of Supreme Court head by Chief Justice of India C V Ramana including two more- AM Khanwilkar, and U U Lalit-is the bench behind recommending his name.

This is for the first time in 4 years that SC has acknowledged him as his name was earlier deferred by both SC and the government. Now, the decision lies in hands of the government. Here’s a brief about him.

Also Read: 7 Famous LGBT Celebrities Who Are “Face Of The Change”

Who Is Saurabh Kirpal?

The 49-years-old advocate comes from a law background as his father Bhupinder Nath Kirpal was India’s 31^st CJI. Saurabh Kripal is a senior advocate at Delhi High Court and specializes in constitutional, commercial, and civil law.

However, the law was not his first career choice and he picked science over law. He completed his graduation from St Stephen’s College of Delhi in Physics. Later, he went abroad to earn a bachelor’s degree in law from Oxford University. Saurabh did post-graduation in the same stream from Cambridge University.

Post Controversies In Life Of “To Be First Gay Judge In India”

Saurabh Kirpal’s journey to becoming the first gay judge in India is full of ups and downs. This doubled because of his partner Nicholas Germain Bachmann who has been pointed out as a reason for rejecting Saurabh’s elevation recommendation.

Nicholas is a Swiss Human Rights Activist. Intelligence Bureau suggested he could pose a security risk for the country. This happened when Delhi HC came up with Kirpal’s name for higher posts in 2017.

The report served as a basis to SC for deferring his name thrice in 2019. But that’s just a part; Saurabh Kirpal’s sexuality was also one of the reasons as his professional experience can’t be questioned. He also said that during an interview with HT in 2020. But he wants to change the picture and bring diversity to the judiciary.

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Saurabh Kirpal- The Voice of LGBTQ And Part Of Decriminalizing Section 377

Kirpal was one of the lawyers who led to the historic decision of ruling Section 377 unconstitutional in the 2018 case of Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India. As per Section 377, consensual sex between men was a punishable offense that could lead to imprisonment of 10 years or lifetime and are liable to pay a fine.

Kirpal stands for LGBTQ and their rights. His book Sex and the Supreme Court is a documentary and a window to all the crucial cases related to minorities, women, transgender, sexual harassment, triple talaq, and more. Saurabh is also a part of Naz Foundation, an NGO that played a crucial role in the 2018 case.