India, Aug. 20 -- The Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned the Centre over its failure to file a response for more than a year to a petition seeking recognition of same-sex partners as medical representatives during treatment and emergencies.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma asked the government why it had not submitted its reply despite the court issuing notice to the Centre and the National Medical Commission (NMC) in July 2025.

The court observed that if same-sex couples are allowed to live together in a relationship, the rules should also account for their rights in situations such as medical treatment.

"The law recognises a live-in relationship between a man and a woman. Why will it not allow a live-in relationship between a man an...