New Delhi, July 9 - The Supreme Court Thursday issued notices to the union government, the Delhi government and the NGO Naz Foundation seeking their stand on a lawsuit challenging the July 2 verdict of the Delhi High Court decriminalising gay sex.

A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Sathasivam issued notices on the lawsuit filed by a Delhi advocate Suresh Kaushal. The bench has sought replies of the various parties by July 20, the next of hearing of the matter.

Challenging the high court verdict, Kaushal contended before the bench that the high court had delivered a 'perverse ruling' that would threaten the natural balance of society.

Giving its landmark judgement, the Delhi High Court had said last week that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code should be amended and any sex between consenting adults should be legalised.

Section 377, a law from the British Raj era, says homosexuality and 'unnatural sex' is a criminal act.