Married Man In Consensual Live-In Relationship Isn't A Crime: High Court The Allahabad High Court ruled that a married man cannot be prosecuted for engaging in a consensual live-in relationship with an adult woman, emphasizing that legal protections must not be influenced by societal or moral judgments. The court quashed a police case filed by the mother of an 18-year-old woman, Anamika, against her partner, Netrapal, and directed authorities to ensure their safety from threats. The case originated when Anamika’s mother, Kanti, filed a complaint under Section 87 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) alleging that Netrapal, a married man, had "enticed" her daughter into a relationship. The couple, both adults, argued the relationship was consensual and sought to dismiss the case. The court acknowledged that no criminal offense was committed if the relationship was mutual and voluntary, stressing that the law must remain separate from social norms. The court ordered police to refrain from arresting the couple and to protect them from harm, including threats of violence or harassment from family members. It also prohibited the woman’s family from entering their home or contacting them through any means, assigning direct responsibility to the local police chief for their safety. The matter was set for further hearing on April 8. During the proceedings, the court highlighted that Anamika had confirmed her adulthood and willingness to be in the relationship. Legal arguments centered on whether Netrapal’s marital status made the relationship illegal, but the court rejected this, noting no applicable law criminalizes consensual adult partnerships. The couple also raised concerns about potential "honour killing" threats from their families, prompting the court to reprimand the police for failing to address these risks.#allahabad_high_court #anamika #netrapal #kanti #shakti_vahini
