Punjab and Haryana Court Says Live-in Relationships Are Not Prohibited

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled in favour of live-in relationships on Thursday.

The court clearly stated that an individual "has the right to formalise the relationship with the partner through marriage or to adopt the non-formal approach of a live-in relationship." It further observed that there was no difference between a married couple, and the one staying in a live-in relationship.

Couple seeks protection from court

This was declared by a single-judge bench of Justice Sudhir Mittal while hearing the case of a couple. They were seeking protection from the court, in order to stay in a live-in relationship.

The couple had earlier approached the Punjab and Haryana Court, after they had submitted a representation to the police, and didn't get any response. They petitioned that their family was against their live-in relationship, and were threatening to harm them.

The court had then instructed the police to protect the couple, while they kept themselves busy with drawing a parallel between live-in relationships, and couples who marry against their parent's wishes.

Mittal then said that the court grants protection to couples who have gotten married against their parent's wishes. He also said that live-in relationships are not universally accepted, but aren't prohibited by law.

Court notes that live-in relationships are on the rise

Mittal also noted that the concept of live-in relationships has now become quite 'popular' and that it has even come to small towns and cities. He also added that individuals in such an arrangement are entitled to protection, and just like any other citizen of the country.

Bench disapproved of such Relationships

Earlier, a bench of the same court had ruled that such relationships are "morally and socially unacceptable". The bench stated that this could greatly disturb the 'social fabric of society'.