Once seen as an outdated relic that criminalised same-sex relations, Section 377 gradually evolved, through judicial interpretation, into a protective tool for those on society's margins, writes Gajanan Khergamker.
In the corridors of justice, the spirit of the law often collides with its literal meaning, particularly when that meaning undergoes profound change. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Justice Code), which came into force in July 2024, marks a major shift by removing Section 377 from the Indian Penal Code.