Live-in relationships a cultural shock, but women must get status of wife: Madras high court

CHENNAI: Expressing concern over live-in relationships ‘happening everywhere’ and calling it a ‘cultural shock’, Madras high court said women in such relationships ought to be protected by granting the status of a wife.

“Live-in relationships are a cultural shock to Indian society, but they are happening widely everywhere. The girls assume that they are modern and opt to live in relationships. But after some time, when they realise that the relationship is not granting any protection as granted under marriage,” said Justice S Srimathy in a recent ruling.


The judge added that in a live-in relationship, women ought to be protected by granting the status of wife, so that women in a live-in relationship, even if it is under turbulence, may be provided with rights as a wife.

Observing that there was absolutely no legal protection for women entering live-in relationships, the judge said a section of women was falling prey to the vulnerability of the concept. “They also face mental trauma due to live-in relationships,” she added.

The court made the observations while dismissing an anticipatory bail application moved by a man who was charged with cheating a woman after promising to marry her. During the hearing, the man claimed that he left the girl because her ‘character was not good’.

“The boys suddenly would take a stand accusing the character of the girls. While, in a live-in relationship, the boys would assume themselves to be modern, they slam the girls on their character for having a live-in relationship,” the judge said.

“If marriage is not possible, then the men ought to face the wrath of legal provisions,” said the judge.

Now, the only section that grants protection to women is under Section 69 (Fraudulently making a promise to marry without any intention of fulfilling the same to have sexual intercourse with woman) of BNS, and the men ought to face the wrath of Section 69 of BNS, the court said.