Live-in relationship is not illegal, says court

The petition was filed by a couple from Bathinda seeking protection in a live-in relationship. However the Punjab government has opposed the security plea and said that several benches had denied security in the matter of consensual relationship.

Haryana:Hearing a protection petition of a couple living in a live-in relationship, Punjab and Haryana High Court said that everyone has the right to choose their spouse. It is not the job of the court to investigate the chosen spouse. In such a case, if security is denied and the couple became the victim of honor killings, it will be a joke of justice.

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The High Court said that live-in relationship is not illegal. There is no word for wife anywhere in the Domestic Violence Act and a female partner is also eligible for alimony. The petition was filed by a couple who had approached the High Court seeking protection in a live-in relationship. The girl was 17 years and three months old and the boy was 20 years old. The Punjab government opposed the security plea and said that several benches had denied security in the matter of consensual relationship.

The High Court in its judgment said that it is not necessary for everyone to accept a live-in relationship, nor is it illegal. Living together without marriage is not a crime in our country. The High Court said that the number of honor killings has increased in the northern part of the country, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP.

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If couple is not married and the court refuses to grant protection to anyone on this ground, then court will fail to fulfill their responsibility to ensure their right to life and liberty under the Constitution, to the citizens of the country. It directed the SSP, Bathinda to take a decision on the writ petition filed for security in this case and provide security if necessary.