Live-In Relationship Not an Offense for Married Man, Says Allahabad High Court The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a married man engaging in a live-in relationship with an adult woman, with her consent, does not constitute a legal offense. A bench led by Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena emphasized that morality and law must remain distinct, rejecting the idea that social norms should influence judicial decisions. The court’s ruling came in response to a petition filed by a couple facing threats from the woman’s family. The case centered on an 18-year-old woman who had entered a live-in relationship with a married man. Her family filed an FIR accusing him of luring her away through “blandishment,” arguing that his marital status made the relationship illegal. However, the court dismissed this claim, stating that there is no legal basis to prosecute a married man for staying with an adult woman if both parties consent. The bench clarified that such a relationship does not violate any law, urging authorities to prioritize legal principles over societal judgments. The woman had previously approached the Superintendent of Police in Shahjahanpur, asserting her adulthood and the voluntary nature of her relationship with the man. Despite her claims, her family continued to threaten her with violence, including the risk of an honor killing. The couple alleged that the police failed to act on their complaint, leaving them vulnerable to harm. In response, the court ordered immediate interim protection for the petitioners, prohibiting their arrest in the ongoing criminal case under Section 87 BNS. It also directed the informant and the woman’s family members to refrain from any form of harassment, including physical or electronic contact.#allahabad_high_court #shahjahanpur #justice_jj_munir #justice_tarun_saxena #section_87_bns
