With reference to the Madras High Court judgment in M.A. v. Superintendent of Police (2025), consider the following statements:
1. The Court ruled that the right to form a 'chosen family' is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.
2. The judgment legalized same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act to grant family status to the petitioners.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

With reference to the Madras High Court judgment in M.A. v. Superintendent of Police (2025), consider the following statements:
1. The Court ruled that the right to form a 'chosen family' is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.
2. The judgment legalized same-sex marriage under the Special Marriage Act to grant family status to the petitioners.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 only — Statement 1 is correct: The Madras High Court recognized 'chosen families' as a facet of personal liberty under Article 21. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Court explicitly noted that while the Supreme Court in Supriyo v. Union of India (2023) did not legalize same-sex marriage, marriage is not the only way to found a family, thereby recognizing queer families without altering marriage statutes.

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