1 week ago

Delhi High Court Protects Live-In Couple, Affirms Choice Rights

Delhi High Court Protects Live-In Couple, Affirms Choice Rights
Live-in relationship akin to marriage: HC · thehansindia.com

A couple who are not married asked a court for protection.

They said the woman’s father and brother threatened them because of their relationship.

The couple said they had been living together for some time.

They also said they planned to marry.

The Delhi High Court ordered police protection for them.

The court said adults can choose whom they want to live with.

Parents, relatives and friends cannot threaten or interfere with that choice.

The court said a consensual live-in relationship can be treated as akin to marriage in this legal context.

The couple is still not legally married.

Key facts

Court
Delhi High Court
Judge
Justice Saurabh Banerjee
Court action
Police protection was granted to the couple
Couple
Both partners were consenting adults in their 30s, living together and intending to marry
Reported threats
The woman’s father and brother were accused of threatening the couple with violence
Legal principle
Consenting adults have the right to choose and reside with a partner without interference
Legislative reference
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

Quotes

Justice Saurabh Banerjee

Judge of the Delhi High Court

“Since the petitioners have willingly, consensually and with utmost responsibility chosen to enter into a live-in relationship with each other, nobody, be it their parents/ relatives/ friends, have a right and/ or authority to cause any hinderance and/ or interfere with their choice thereof, much less threaten their life and/ or liberty.”
deccanchronicle.com deccanchronicle.com thehansindia.com
“The petitioners herein are though in a live-in relationship, are not legally married to each, however, being consenting adults, the same is akin to marriage.”
deccanchronicle.com deccanchronicle.com

Sources

Related news