A married man's live-in relationship is not an offence, the Allahabad high court has ruled, stating that social morality cannot override court's duty to protect citizens' rights.
The Division Bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena made the observation while hearing a plea seeking protection of a live-in couple facing threats from the woman's family.
The court said that the woman, who allegedly faces threats from her family, has already submitted an application to the Superintendent of Police of Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur, stating that she is an adult and staying of her freewill with the man in a live-in relationship.
The high court added that her parents and other family members are against their relationship and have issued death threats, triggering fears of honour killing.
The court also noted that the Superintendent of Police has not taken any action on the complaint.
This is not the first time the Allahabad HC has ruled in favour of live-in couples. In December last year, the court directed police to provide protection to 12 live-in couples who said they were facing threats from their families.
