Allahabad HC says ‘live-in relationships driven by infatuation, mostly timepass’

The Allahabad High Court has rejected a plea put forth by an interfaith live-in couple, seeking police protection. In the ruling, the court observed that live-in relationships are primarily a form of “time pass” and often lack stability and sincerity.

The bench, consisting of Justices Rahul Chaturvedi and Mohd Azhar Husain Idrisi, stated, “No doubt that Hon’ble the Apex Court in a number of cases have validated live-in relationships, but in the span of two months at a tender age of 20-22 years, we cannot expect that the couple would be able to give serious thought to such a temporary relationship. As mentioned above, it is more of infatuation with the opposite sex without any sincerity. Life is not a bed of roses.”

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“Our experience shows that such relationships often result in being temporary, fragile, and primarily for ‘timepass’. Therefore, we refrain from providing protection to the petitioner during the investigation stage,” the bench stated, as reported by the Bar and Bench.

The high court’s decision came in response to a petition filed by a couple – a Hindu woman and a Muslim man – who were seeking the quashing of an FIR (First Information Report) registered against the man, alleging kidnapping under Section 366 of the Indian Penal Code. The complaint was filed by the woman’s aunt.

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Earlier the couple requested police protection, as they had chosen to continue their live-in relationship. The woman’s counsel argued that she is over 20 years of age, has the right to make decisions about her future, and has chosen to be in a live-in relationship with the accused.

In contrast, the opposing counsel contended that the partner was already facing an FIR registered under the Uttar Pradesh Gangster Act. It was argued that he was a “road-romeo” and a vagabond with an uncertain future who would likely harm the girl’s life.

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During the hearing, the Court expressed reservations about live-in relationships. However, it clarified that its stance should not be misinterpreted as a judgment or endorsement of the petitioners’ relationship, nor as a safeguard against lawful actions taken in accordance with the law.

The bench stated, “The Court feels that such relationships are often driven by infatuation and lack stability and sincerity. Unless and until the couple decides to marry and give a name to their relationship or demonstrates sincerity towards each other, the Court refrains from expressing an opinion on such relationships.”

With these findings, the Court dismissed the plea, Bar and Bench reported.

The petitioners were represented by Advocates Shadab Ahmad and Sadaqat Ullah Khan, while Advocates Dhirendra Kumar Verma and Srawan Kumar Swarnkar represented the State and the complainant, respectively.