Lagatar24 Desk
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court ruled that a married man living in a consensual live-in relationship with an adult woman does not constitute a criminal offence, and directed authorities to ensure protection for the couple facing threats.
Court Separates Law From Morality
A bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena observed that morality and law must remain distinct while safeguarding citizens’ rights. The court stated that if a relationship is between consenting adults, no criminal offence is made out, even if one partner is married. It rejected arguments that such a relationship is illegal, emphasizing that social opinions cannot dictate judicial decisions.
Protection Granted Amid Threats And FIR
The case involved a petition by a couple facing threats from the woman’s family, who had filed an FIR alleging inducement and wrongdoing. The court noted that the woman, being an adult, had voluntarily chosen to live with the man and had expressed fear of harm, including potential honour-based violence. Taking serious note, the court directed police authorities to ensure their safety, restrained the family from contacting or harming them, and ordered that the couple should not be arrested under the relevant provisions until further hearing.
