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NDTV
18-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Court Seeks Centre's Reply On Medical Consent Rights Of Same-Sex Partners
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Central government regarding a petition urging for the creation of guidelines to legally recognise non-heterosexual partners as medical representatives, thereby allowing them to give consent on each other's behalf in medical situations. Justice Sachin Datta sought responses from the Union Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Law and Justice, Social Justice and Empowerment, and the National Medical Commission regarding the plea. The petition was filed by Arshiya Takkar, who is in a long-term same-sex relationship with advocate Ms Chand Chopra. The couple has been together since June 2015, celebrated their engagement in December 2019, and held a commitment ceremony in December 2023. Following the Supreme Court's ruling in Supriyo @ Supriya Chakraborty & Anr. v. Union of India, which affirmed the fundamental right of same-sex couples to form unions, they legally married in New Zealand on December 14, 2023. The petition highlights the urgent need to recognise same-sex unions within the Indian medical framework. Ms Chopra's family resides outside Delhi or abroad, making it impractical for them to assist during medical emergencies. This leaves Takkar, her partner, ineligible to act as her medical representative, despite their committed relationship. Takkar contends that such exclusions are discriminatory, infringing upon constitutional guarantees under Part III of the Indian Constitution. Drawing on the precedent set in Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India, she argues that discrimination based on sexual orientation violates the fundamental rights to equality and freedom of expression. The petition further asserts that denying medical decision-making authority violates Article 19(1)(a) and (c), by limiting the Petitioner's right to express her relationship through mutual care. It also breaches Article 21, which ensures the right to live with dignity and autonomy in personal relationships. Takkar mentioned multiple rulings which emphasised legal recognition for "chosen families" within the LGBTQIA community. The petition argues that the refusal to extend medical rights to non-heterosexual partners conflicts with constitutional morality and evolving societal norms. Additionally, the plea claims that such denial contravenes India's international human rights commitments. Despite the Supreme Court's directive for a high-level committee to address the entitlements of queer couples, including medical decision-making, no actionable progress has been made. This legal vacuum, the petitioner says, continues to leave same-sex couples vulnerable during medical crises.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Petition in Delhi HC seeks medical consent rights for same-sex partners
The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notices to the Centre and the National Medical Commission on a plea seeking recognition of non-heterosexual partners as each other's legitimate medical representatives, allowing them to give consent for treatment. The petition was filed by Arshiya Takkar, who married her same-sex partner in New Zealand in 2023 and is living with her partner in Delhi. The petition highlighted the lack of clear legal framework or common law recognising 'partners in a union', making it difficult to provide consent during medical treatment or emergencies. Ms. Takkar, represented by senior advocates Saurabh Kirpal and Shyel Trehan, stated in her plea that the existing regulation — Clause 7.16 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 — mandates consent for medical procedures or treatment from a 'husband or wife, parent or guardian in the case of a minor, or the patient himself'. 'This lack of explicit recognition of partners in a union renders the petitioner effectively powerless to make critical medical decisions for her partner, or vice versa, a right readily available to heterosexual partners under the current regulations,' it stated. The petition, filed through advocates Manjira Dasgupta and Bhargav Ravindran Thali, contended that despite the Supreme Court directive for a high-powered committee to address entitlements of LGBTQIA+ couples, including their recognition as 'family' for medical decision-making, the authorities have failed to take expeditious measures. 'This inaction leaves the petitioner and other same-sex couples vulnerable and unable to exercise the fundamental right to care for each other in medical emergencies,' the plea said. During the hearing, Justice Sachin Datta asked the counsel representing the Centre, 'What will be in case if the person is an orphan? What if the person is living alone? Who will give consent for them?' The court directed the Centre to file its reply within four weeks.
Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Don't see why not…': Delhi HC on plea seeking rights for same-sex couples to make medical decisions for each other
The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the central government to respond to a plea by a woman, who sought that non-heterosexual couples get the right to make medical decisions for each other. The high court sought responses from the Union ministries of health, law, and social justice and empowerment, as well as the National Medical Commission (NMC), orally remarking that it does not see a reason why such a provision should not exist. Arshiya Takkar, a leadership coach and family business consultant who got married to her long-term partner, advocate Chand Chopra, in New Zealand in December 2023, has moved the Delhi High Court, highlighting that there exists 'no framework which grants or recognizes the rights of non-heterosexual couples to act as a medical representative of their respective partners during medical treatment/emergencies'. Senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, appearing for Takkar, highlighted that the lack of guidelines in this regard leaves a 'big lacuna in case of queer couples and public at large'. Takkar underscored the 'critical need for recognition of their union in medical contexts,' as Chopra's immediate family members reside in different states or countries, making them potentially inaccessible during a medical emergency, and highlighted her 'indispensable role as her partner's decision-maker'. Takkar's petition submits that the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 mandate consent for medical procedures/treatment from a 'husband or wife, parent or guardian in the case of minor, or the patient himself', thus lacking 'explicit recognition of partners in a union', effectively making her 'powerless to make critical medical decisions' for her partner. Takkar has cited that this is arbitrary, a breach of her fundamental right of expression, and discrimination on the grounds of sex. 'The prevailing legal framework and practices, by effectively restricting medical decision-making rights to heterosexual couples or normative family members, are inconsistent with this evolving constitutional understanding and violate constitutional morality, which mandates respect for diversity and individual dignity. The absence of legal recognition for same-sex partners in medical decision-making also contravenes India's international obligations,' Takkar has submitted. Takkar has sought the court's direction to frame guidelines directing hospitals/physicians to recognise non-heterosexual partners as medical representatives and grant them access during medical treatment. She is also seeking a declaration that a medical power of attorney given in advance by a patient to their non-heterosexual partner shall be sufficient for such partner to act as the duly constituted medical representative. Taken up before Justice Sachin Datta, the court orally remarked that it can consider the latter request, on declaring that a medical power of attorney given in advance to their partner shall suffice for consideration as being their medical representative. Kirpal further added that in the interim, the Centre too can consider framing guidelines. Meanwhile, the central government's standing counsel, Monika Arora, opposed the plea, orally submitting that while the Supreme Court has laid down 'that there should not be discrimination in goods and services available to the public', such a provision is not available for unmarried heterosexual couples, say for example a man and a woman in a live-in relationship, and thus the question of discrimination does not arise. 'Here, if someone is in a live-in relationship, a boy and girl, this (provision to authorise their partner as their medical representative) is not available,' Arora submitted. Responding to the Centre's assertion, Kirpal responded, 'I am sure the Union (government) won't be so inhuman…I am surprised. An unmarried man and woman are allowed to get married (but queer couples are not in India).' Justice Datta also orally inquired from the Centre, 'Let us take the case of a heterosexual situation, I don't see why this regime shouldn't be there. Suppose there is someone living all by himself or herself, what then?…or they are estranged from their family?' Issuing notice, the court sought the responses of the government ministries and NMC, and has now kept the matter for consideration next on October 27.
Economic Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
I-Sec maintains Hold on Vodafone Idea, lowers target price to Rs 7
ICICI Securities has maintained a Hold call on Vodafone Idea with a revised target price of Rs 7 (Earlier Rs 8). The current market price of Vodafone Idea is Rs 6.78. Vodafone Idea Ltd., incorporated in 1995, is a Mid Cap company with a market cap of Rs 73348.23 crore, operating in Telecommunications sector. ADVERTISEMENT Vodafone Idea's key products/revenue segments include Telecommunication Services, Other Operating Revenue and Traded Goods for the year ending 31-Mar-2024. Financials For the quarter ended 31-03-2025, the company has reported a Consolidated Total Income of Rs 11228.30 crore, down -1.22 % from last quarter Total Income of Rs 11366.80 crore and up 5.54% from last year same quarter Total Income of Rs 10639.30 crore. The company has reported net profit after tax of Rs -7168.10 crore in the latest quarter. The company's top management includes Takkar, Ramachandran, Gupta, Windlass, Adhikari, Agrawal, Mangalam Birla, Kamath, Agarwal, Sood, Kapania, Vaswani. The company has S R Batliboi & Associates LLP as its auditors. As on 31-03-2025, the company has a total of 7,139 crore shares outstanding. Investment Rationale ADVERTISEMENT Vodafone Idea's (VIL) Q4FY25 ARPU rose 0.6% QoQ (Bharti down 0.1%, RJio +1.4%), on expected lines. However, VIL lost higher-than-expected subs, and data subs dipped marginally by 0.1mn despite initial 4G network expansion. However, Voda Idea has started accruing the benefits of network rollout with strong penetration of 5G subs and improving customer engagement (data usage), which remains critical for revenue conversion of debt of Rs 370 billion into equity provides immediate relief and also helps to increase debt funding discussion intensity with banks, which is key for network expansion. ICICI Securities cut its FY26E/FY27E EBITDA by 1% each and reduce the target price to Rs 7 (from Rs 8), based on an FY27E EV/EBITDA multiple of 15x (unchanged). The brokerage maintains HOLD. ADVERTISEMENT Promoter/FII Holdings Promoters held 38.8 per cent stake in the company as of 31-Mar-2025, while FIIs owned 10.1 per cent, DIIs 4.9 per cent. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel) Disclaimer: Views and recommendations given in this section are the analysts' own and do not represent those of Please consult your financial adviser before taking any position in the stock/s mentioned.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
I-Sec maintains Hold on Vodafone Idea, lowers target price to Rs 7
ICICI Securities has maintained a Hold call on Vodafone Idea with a revised target price of Rs 7 (Earlier Rs 8). The current market price of Vodafone Idea is Rs 6.78. Vodafone Idea Ltd. , incorporated in 1995, is a Mid Cap company with a market cap of Rs 73348.23 crore, operating in Telecommunications sector. Vodafone Idea's key products/revenue segments include Telecommunication Services, Other Operating Revenue and Traded Goods for the year ending 31-Mar-2024. Financials For the quarter ended 31-03-2025, the company has reported a Consolidated Total Income of Rs 11228.30 crore, down -1.22 % from last quarter Total Income of Rs 11366.80 crore and up 5.54% from last year same quarter Total Income of Rs 10639.30 crore. The company has reported net profit after tax of Rs -7168.10 crore in the latest quarter. The company's top management includes Takkar, Ramachandran, Gupta, Windlass, Adhikari, Agrawal, Mangalam Birla, Kamath, Agarwal, Sood, Kapania, Vaswani. The company has S R Batliboi & Associates LLP as its auditors. As on 31-03-2025, the company has a total of 7,139 crore shares outstanding. Live Events Investment Rationale Vodafone Idea's (VIL) Q4FY25 ARPU rose 0.6% QoQ (Bharti down 0.1%, RJio +1.4%), on expected lines. However, VIL lost higher-than-expected subs, and data subs dipped marginally by 0.1mn despite initial 4G network expansion. However, Voda Idea has started accruing the benefits of network rollout with strong penetration of 5G subs and improving customer engagement (data usage), which remains critical for revenue growth. Government's conversion of debt of Rs 370 billion into equity provides immediate relief and also helps to increase debt funding discussion intensity with banks, which is key for network expansion. ICICI Securities cut its FY26E/FY27E EBITDA by 1% each and reduce the target price to Rs 7 (from Rs 8), based on an FY27E EV/EBITDA multiple of 15x (unchanged). The brokerage maintains HOLD. Promoter/FII Holdings Promoters held 38.8 per cent stake in the company as of 31-Mar-2025, while FIIs owned 10.1 per cent, DIIs 4.9 per cent.
