Police Persuade Indian Gay Couple to Divorce

A gay male couple’s groundbreaking marriage in the northeast Indian state of Manipur ended in divorce two days later following stiff opposition to the union by the couple's families.

According to the online India Gazette, the two men — identified only by their first names, Sandip, 25, and Nikhil, 28 — formalized their six-year relationship March 25 in a small ceremony. The families of both men reportedly went to local law enforcement to complain.

"We were deeply hurt and objected to the marriage. With no options left, we approached the police. They helped us not by force but by reasoning and convinced the duo to change their mind and split," said one family member, who declined to be named.

Police officers reportedly detained the men for several hours and persuaded them to dissolve the marriage. It is not clear how officials convinced the couple to divorce.

The marriage had no legal standing in India. It was only last July that the New Delhi high court struck down a section of the Indian penal code that criminalizes homosexuality.