Delhi: India's top court has rejected a plea filed by the government and activist groups to review its shock ruling that reinstated a colonial-era ban on gay sex.

In its December 11 ruling, the Supreme Court reversed a lower court verdict from 2009 that had set aside section 377 of the penal code, introduced by India's British rulers in 1860, which outlawed "carnal intercourse against the order of nature".

Indian rights activists demonstrate in Bangalore against the Supreme Court's decision to uphold section 377 of the penal code, which bans gay sex. Credit:AFP

A Supreme Court bench on Tuesday dismissed petitions filed by the government and rights groups against its December verdict. Gay sex remains an offence punishable by up to life imprisonment.

"We see no reason to interfere with the order impugned. The review petitions are dismissed," Supreme Court justices H.L. Dattu and S.J. Mukhopadhaya said in their decision.