Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Delhi High Court Protects Live-In Couple, Affirms Choice Rights
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.
The Delhi High Court said consensual live-in relationships between adults are akin to marriage in this legal context.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee granted police protection to a couple who reported threats from the woman’s father and brother.
The court said consenting adults have the right to choose and live with their partner without interference.
The couple, both in their 30s, said they had been living together for some time and intended to marry.
The court cited constitutional rights, Supreme Court rulings and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, Justice Saurabh Banerjee and a live-in couple in their 30s.
- What
- The court granted police protection and said consenting adults may choose and live with their partner without interference.
- When
- The order was passed on August 13; the year was not specified.
- Where
- The order was issued by the Delhi High Court after the couple approached the court following a complaint to a local Station House Officer.
- Why
- The couple said the woman’s father and brother threatened them with violence and that police had not taken action on their complaint.
- 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
Sources
Delhi HC Says Live-In Relationships Are ‘Akin To Marriage’: What Couples Should Know
Live-in Relationship Akin To Marriage, Parents or Relatives Can't Interfere: Delhi High Court
Live-In Relationships Akin To Marriage: Delhi HC
Live-in Relationship Akin to Marriage, Parents Can't Interfere: Delhi HC
Live-in relationship akin to marriage, parents cannot interfere: Delhi High Court