New Delhi (PTI) The Supreme Court is likely to hear on Thursday a petition filed by an astrologer challenging the Delhi High Court's verdict legalising gay sex.

The petition filed by Suresh Kumar Kaushal has sought quashing of July 2 verdict of the High Court legalising gay sex between consenting adults in private, which was earlier a criminal offence punishable with upto life imprisonmnet.

Mr. Kaushal said the petition, which will come for hearing during the mentioning hour, contended that homosexual acts, by all standards, was an unnatural act and it could not be permitted.

"No one can imagine the consequences of the unnatural acts. Even animals don't indulge in such activities," Mr. Kaushal said in his petition.

He said the High Court judgment would result in spread of HIV virus as "it has been amply proved that the HIV virus is a result of unnatural sex."

"We have to look at our own scriptures to seek guidance from them and it is against such behaviour in our society," he said.

"If such abnormality is permitted, then tomorrow people might seek permission for having sex with animals," he said.

The High Court, in a landmark verdict, legalised gay sex among consenting adults.

The verdict had retained the penal provision for non consenting gay and homosexAlso read