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Amid Life Threats, Allahabad High Court Protects Interfaith Couple’s Rights

Amid Life Threats, Allahabad High Court Protects Interfaith Couple’s Rights
Amid ‘life threats’, Allahabad High Court backs interfaith couple’s right to live together · indianexpress.com

An adult couple from different religions chose to live together.

They told the court that they were afraid someone might harm them.

The Allahabad High Court said people have a constitutional right to choose whom they live with.

This right applies even when the couple is not married.

The court said religion cannot be used to take away their rights.

It also said equality and protection from discrimination apply to everyone.

The couple can ask the police for help if they face threats.

The police must examine their complaint and protect them if the claims are supported.

The court did not decide their exact ages or stop any lawful action that might be needed.

Key facts

Court
Allahabad High Court
Judge
Justice Vivek Kumar Singh
Constitutional provisions
Articles 14, 15 and 21
Relationship
Interfaith live-in relationship
Court’s direction
Police must examine any complaint and act according to law if the allegations have substance.
Important qualification
The court did not determine the petitioners’ correct ages or bar lawful proceedings.

Quotes

Justice Vivek Kumar Singh

Allahabad High Court judge who issued the order

“This Court is not a trial court to find out as to whether any offence has been committed by the petitioners by putting themselves in a live-in relationship. This Court at this stage is only examining the issue of apprehension of the petitioners based on threat to their life and liberty for the reasons/circumstances as narrated in the petition.”
indianexpress.com
“Right to choose a partner irrespective of caste, creed or religion, is inhered under right to life and personal liberty, an integral part of the Fundamental Right under Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty) of the Constitution of India,”
indianexpress.com

Sources

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