"Minor Girl Residing With Adult Male In Live-in Relationship Not Morally, Socially Acceptable; Court's Seal Of Approval Cannot Be Allowed": P&H HC

Refusing to grant protection to a couple living in a live in relationship, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that a minor girl residing with an adult male in a live-in relationship is not morally and socially acceptable.

A single judge bench comprising of Justice HS Madaan observed thus:

"A minor girl residing with an adult male in a live-in relationship is not morally and socially acceptable. By way of filing the present petition, the petitioners want to get a seal of approval from this Court on their live-in relationship, which cannot be allowed."

The development came in a plea filed by a couple, a 16 year old minor girl and 25 year old boy, having a live-in relationship seeking protection from respondents who has allegedly threatened to interfere in their lives.

Observing that such relationships cannot get an approval from the Court, the Court thus held:

"No ground is there to issue any direction to the respondents as prayed for in the present petition."

Furthermore, it said:

"However, in case, the petitioners have got any apprehension of danger to their lives and liberty, they are free to approach the police authorities in that regard, who many take appropriate action in the matter, if so required, after assessing the threat perception."

In view of this, the petition was disposed of.

In a recent development, the High Court has observed that the live-in-relationship nowadays is not a new phenomena but the society has not evolved to the extent of accepting such relationship without raising the eyebrows to such relationship. 

Observing that both the petitioners were above the age of 18 years, however, the boy was not of marriageable age, the Court observed thus:

"It is evident that both the petitioners are above the age of 18 years, however, the boy is not of marriageable age. The live-in-relationship nowadays is not a new phenomena but the society has not evolved to the extent of accepting such relationship without raising the eyebrows to such relationship."

Furthermore, it said:

"Thus, time and again Hon'ble Apex Court as well as various other High Courts have accepted the live-in-relationship and have come to the rescue of the couple as enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Though issue raised by the petitioners in the petition is qua their live in-relationship and their fundamental right to their life and liberty as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India but the Court is concerned only with their right under Article 21 of the Constitution."

Title: Kajal and another v. State of Haryana and others

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