Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Punjab and Haryana High Court denies live-in protection to minors
A grown-up man and a girl who was only 16 years old wanted the court to keep them safe while they lived together without being married.
A judge at the Punjab and Haryana High Court said no to their request.
The judge explained that the law does not allow minors to be in live-in relationships.
Protecting them would be like saying the relationship is okay, and the law says it is not.
The judge said the most important thing is keeping the girl safe and well.
He asked the police in Ludhiana to take whatever action the law requires.
The couple's request was dismissed, so they did not get the protection they asked for.
The court said the law exists to protect young people from being hurt or taken advantage of.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a plea by a 16-year-old girl and her adult partner seeking protection for their live-in relationship.
The court held that granting protection would amount to indirectly approving a relationship that the law does not recognise.
Justice Sumeet Goel stressed that the welfare and well-being of the minor is the paramount consideration.
The court directed the Ludhiana Commissioner of Police to take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
The ruling was delivered on August 3, with the court calling protection of live-in arrangements involving minors 'repugnant' to the statutory framework.
- Who
- Justice Sumeet Goel of the Punjab and Haryana High Court; the petitioners were a 16-year-old girl and her adult partner.
- What
- The court dismissed a plea seeking protection for a live-in relationship involving a minor.
- When
- August 3
- Where
- Punjab and Haryana High Court, with action directed to police in Ludhiana
- Why
- Because extending protection would implicitly approve a live-in relationship involving a minor, which the law does not recognise, and the minor's welfare is paramount.
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Judge
- Justice Sumeet Goel
- Age of minor
- 16 years old
- Petitioners
- Minor girl and her adult partner
- Outcome
- Plea dismissed
- Action directed
- Ludhiana Commissioner of Police to act in accordance with the law
- Ruling date
- August 3
- Key finding
- Courts cannot protect live-in relationships involving minors