Live-in relationships have become a part and parcel of life and should be viewed from the lens of personal autonomy arising out of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 rather than the notions of social morality, noted Allahabad High Court.
The observations were made by the two-judge bench of Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava. The bench disposed of the pleas of two live-in couples who were seeking protection as their families had allegedly been interfering in their lives.
“Live-in-relationships have become part and parcel of life and stand approved by the Hon’ble Apex Court. The live-in relationship is required to be viewed from the lens of personal autonomy arising out of the right to live guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, rather than, notions of social morality. The right to life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India is liable to be protected at all costs,” noted the High Court bench.
The couple had also alleged that they had approached the local police for help but didn’t get any help and left them on their fate amid consistent threat to their life and liberty.
“In the event, the petitioners approach the police authorities complaining of any threat to their life and liberty, we hope and trust that the police authorities shall perform their duties as expected from them under law,” the court ordered.
