LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has observed that a live-in-relationship cannot be called illegal, nor is living together without the sanctity of marriage an offence. It also said the State is duty-bound to protect every citizen, and a couple's unmarried status does not deprive them of their fundamental rights.
Hearing 12 petitions filed by women in live-in relationships who sought protection as they feared a threat to their lives, the court ordered the police chiefs of the districts concerned to provide immediate protection if someone disturbs their peaceful living.
While issuing the direction on Wednesday, the single bench of Justice Vivek Kumar Singh observed, "The concept of a live-relationship may not be acceptable to all, but it cannot be said that such a relationship is an illegal one or that, living together without the sanctity of the marriage constitutes an offence."
The petitioners claimed they approached police in the districts concerned, but no attention was paid to them. In all the writ petitions-- which the court clubbed-- the petitioners prayed that the police be directed to provide protection form people, including family members, relatives or associates, from causing any harm.