The debate around creating a registry for live-in couples has been sparked by a recent Supreme Court case. With the increasing number of live-in couples in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai, questions have arisen regarding whether legal protections for women in these relationships exist and what can be done to protect them. However, some argue that the demand for a registry is unnecessary and intrusive, and that the government should not be involved in maintaining such a list. Feminist author Nivedita Lewis emphasizes that women in live-in relationships are generally safe and have legal protections under the Domestic Violence Protection Act. However, incidents such as the Shraddha Walker murder case highlight the need for law enforcement agencies to handle crimes occurring in live-in relationships. A public interest litigation seeking to create a register of living together couples and make rules for the same was dismissed by the Supreme Court bench consisting of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JP Pardiwala. They questioned the need for such a registry and dismissed the petition.
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A Supreme Court case seeking to create a register of live-in couples has sparked a new debate. Is such a registry necessary? Are there no legal protections for women in live-in relationships? What should be done to protect the women in that relationship? has raised questions.
In the changing cultural environment, the number of live-in couples is increasing day by day beyond arranged marriages and love marriages.
Both men and women believe that the freedom that is not available in marriage and family can be found in the life of ‘living together’. This freedom is the basis of live-in life.
Is it a modern change or a cultural degeneration if the younger community who hesitated to even express love in the mid-90s has now come to the western culture of ‘dating’ and ‘living together’? That’s what happens on the menu.
Is a group of self-styled cultural gatekeepers and a “live if we like it, leave if we don’t” style of living fit for our culture? As they question.
Although such a debate continues, the Supreme Court has made it clear that there is legal recognition for two unmarried ‘majors’ to live together in ‘living together’ mode. In the changing life environment, there are many people living together in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai.
As in a marriage relationship, sometimes unpleasant events take place due to conflicts arising in such a relationship. An example of this is the Shraddha Walker murder case in Delhi.
Noting such cases, a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court urging the creation of a register of living together couples has moved the debate to the next level.
“No Deal”
When asked about this, author and feminist Nivedita Lewis said, “I don’t agree with the demand to create a register to maintain the details of those in a live-in relationship. That’s what the provision of registered marriage is for. Then why should someone be in a live-in relationship?” He replied.
“People who don’t like social arrangements like marriage and family are in live-in relationships. It is not fair that all of them should register their details with the government. Not only that, is it the government’s job to maintain a list of live-in relatives when there are so many problems that need to be solved in the society? The government should also do the work of marriage brokers. What do you want to do?
This registry is like prying into someone’s personal life. It’s like looking into someone’s bed and peeking into the room. What details will be collected in the Register of Live-in Relatives? Does the petitioner want to collect details like educational qualification, salary, economic status etc.? What is the government going to do with those details?” he added.
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Do women have legal protection in live-in relationships?
We asked Nivedita Lewis questions about legal protection for women in live-in relationships. “Many of those in live-in relationships also resort to registered marriages later in life when foreign work, visa, etc. requirements arise. Women are generally safe. Before entering into any relationship, women initiate the relationship only after knowing the details of the person involved.
As far as security is concerned, women in live-in relationships are more concerned than the petitioner. “Besides, living together in a live-in relationship is tantamount to married life, and the Domestic Violence Protection Act applies not only to marriage but also to women living together in a consensual live-in relationship in the same household,” he replied.
How to ensure safety of women in live-in relationship?
When Shraddha Walker raised a question about women’s personal safety while referring to tragic incidents like murder, “Apart from all this, if there are bad incidents like murder, sexual harassment, it is the job of the police to find out about it. Don’t such crimes happen in traditional marriages? Like those cases, the law enforcement agencies should handle it.
“After all, the information collected in government registries has the potential to be dangerous for both men and women in live-in relationships,” he warned.
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What is the Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court?
Advocate Mamata Rani has filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court seeking an order to the central government to create a register of living together couples and make rules for the same.
“Courts have given many judgments to ensure the safety of men and women in live-in relationships and the resulting children. But there are no rules or guidelines to define live-in relationships. Crimes such as murder, sexual assault in live-in relationships have increased significantly. Shraddha Walker case In some cases, women have been murdered by their live-in partners.
By registering a living together relationship, both parties in a live-in relationship can know complete details about each other including marital status, criminal background. Central government should take steps to make laws for live-in relationship and to know the exact number of people living together. To do all this we need to create a registry of living together couples. Registration should be made mandatory,” Mamata Rani had mentioned in the petition.
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The petition came up for hearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and JP Pardiwala.
“What is this? Bring anything here? With whom to register? With the central government? What can the central government do about live-in relationship? Are you trying to ensure the safety of the living-together couple? Or the living-together?” Do you want to prevent them from getting into a relationship?” They ordered to dismiss the petition.
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