Supreme Court Expands Section 498A to Live‑In Relationships

The Supreme Court said that a woman who lives with a man in a relationship that looks like marriage can get the same protection as a married woman if she is being hurt.

The law, called Section 498A, used to protect only married women.

Now it also protects women in live‑in relationships if they plan to marry.

The court said this is fair because the law should protect people from cruelty, not just married couples.

The decision also says the woman must show that she and her partner intended to marry.

The court will still follow rules that protect people from being arrested too quickly.

This change helps many people who live together before marriage.

The law will also apply to a new law called Section 85 in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The court wants the law to keep up with how society changes.