The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to explore whether there was a possibility of granting rights like adoption, inheritance, insurance claims and joint bank account operations to members of the LGBTQ community on a par with heterosexual couples to avoid the necessity of legalising same-sex marriages.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud posted the matter for further hearing to May 3. Solicitor-general Tushar Mehta agreed to consider the suggestion.

“When we say recognition, it need not be recognition as marriage. It may mean recognition which entitles them to certain benefits. The association of two persons need not be equated to marriage,” Justice P.S. Narasimha said.

Mehta responded, saying: “I will assist the court qua so far as possible and legally permissible, removal of barriers without any legal or statutory recognition. Whatever administratively can be done can be seen. My stand will not be adversarial.”