Prayagraj, 29 October: Allahabad High Court has said in an important judgement regarding live-in relationship that live-in relationship has now become an important part and parcel of life. Therefore it needs to be seen from the perspective of individual liberty and not from the point of view of social morality.
The order was passed by a bench of Justice Pritinkar Diwakar and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava while disposing of the petitions of two different couples living in a live-in relationship.
It was alleged in both the petitions that they were adults and were living together of their own free will. But the family members of the girls are interfering in their peaceful life. A petition was filed in the High Court seeking protection.
The court said that live-in relationship has now become a part of life, which has also been accepted by the Supreme Court. Therefore, it needs to be seen through the prism of individual liberty which comes under the purview of life and liberty enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution.
The court said that the guarantee of freedom of life given in Article 21 should be followed at all costs.
The petition was filed by Kushinagar resident Shayara Khatun and her live in relation partner and the second petition was filed by Meerut’s Zeenat Parveen and her partner.
Both said that they had sought help from the local police. But no special help could be provided. They were left on their own terms while their life is in danger. They are getting constant threats.
The court said that the police are bound to protect the rights of the petitioners. The court has directed the police of the districts concerned that if the petitioners seek protection, the police should comply with their obligations given in the law.
The order was given on October 26.
