Live-in ties more about personal autonomy than social morality: Allahabad HC

PRAYAGRAJ: Granting protection to a live-in couple, the Allahabad high court on Tuesday said that “live-in relationships have become part and parcel of life and are required to be viewed from the lens of personal autonomy rather than the notions of social morality”.
While disposing of two separate petitions filed by interfaith live-in couples, a division bench comprising Justice Pritinker Diwaker and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava observed, “Live-in relationships have become part and parcel of life and stand approved by the 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 Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees protection of life and personal liberty.
The two couples had filed separate petitions alleging that the family of the girls were interfering in the day-to-day life of the petitioners.
One was filed by Shayara Khatun and her partner of Kushi Nagar (both major in live-in relationship with each other since last more than two years) and another was filed by Zeenat Parveen and her partner of Meerut (both major and in live-in relationship since last one year).
It was also stated that they approached the concerned police authorities, but the police authorities did not extend any help and consequently, they claimed that their life and liberty was undermined. Hence, they filed the present writ petition before the high court.
The court, at the outset, underscored that the right to life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India is liable to be protected at all costs and held that the police authorities were obligated to protect the rights of the petitioners.
Therefore, the court in its order dated October 26, directed that in the event the petitioners approach the concerned police authorities complaining of any threat to their life and liberty, the police authorities concerned shall perform their duties as expected from them under law.