The Madhya Pradesh High Court has acknowledged the rights of women in live-in relationships, stating that a woman who has cohabited with a man for a significant period is entitled to maintenance after the relationship ends, regardless of their marital status. This was reported by NDTV in light of a judgment where the court was addressing an appeal against a lower court’s decision that mandated a man to provide a monthly support of Rs 1,500 to his former live-in partner.
The High Court underscored that the presence of “evidence of cohabitation” justifies maintenance claims and referenced the lower court’s determination that the couple had lived together akin to a marital relationship. Moreover, the court declared that the existence of a child from the relationship further solidifies the woman’s claim to monthly financial support.
This pivotal ruling by the Madhya Pradesh High Court marks a significant step in the evolving legal discourse around live-in relationships in India. Notably, Uttarakhand introduced a uniform civil code earlier in the year, necessitating the registration of live-in relationships.
Additionally, the Allahabad High Court, in a bail plea heard in February 2024 related to a case involving false promises of marriage and assault, observed the challenges women face post-separation from a live-in relationship. Justice Siddhartha remarked on the societal difficulties encountered by women after such breakups, noting the societal reluctance to accept live-in relationships. This often leaves women with limited options, compelling them to file legal complaints against their former partners, as was the scenario in this case where a woman pursued legal action under Sections 376 and 406 of the Indian Penal Code, alleging that her live-in partner of one-and-a-half years reneged on promises of marriage after she became pregnant.
