Allahabad High Court Denies Protection to Live-In Couple

The Allahabad High Court dismissed a writ petition by a live-in couple seeking protection, citing one partner's age below marriageable as a reason. The court emphasized that child marriage laws cannot grant legitimacy or protection to such relationships, stressing that legal pathways remain open for families to enforce age-related marriage laws.

The Allahabad High Court has recently rejected a writ petition filed by a live-in couple seeking legal protection. The court ruled that relationships of this nature, involving one partner below the legal marriageable age, cannot be supported by the judiciary's extraordinary jurisdiction.

Justice Garima Prashad underscored that the court cannot provide legitimacy or facilitate continuation of relationships acting as substitutes for marriage, especially when contravening statutory age frameworks. The case involved a Muslim woman, aged 20, and a Hindu male, aged 19, who faced threats from the woman's father.

The High Court referenced the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and other relevant statutes, highlighting that any attempt to bypass age-related marriage restrictions remains outside legal protection. However, the court clarified that while families can take lawful steps to prevent child marriage, they must do so within legal bounds without resorting to threats or coercion.