Allahabad HC expresses anguish over burden of live-in relationship cases

Expressing anguish over burden of live-in relationship cases, the Allahabad High Court recently said it was ‘fed up’ with such cases, especially after the Supreme Court had legalised the same.

While hearing a bail application of a person accused of rape of a minor on the false promise of marriage, a Bench of Justice Siddharth observed that the concept of live-in relationships was against the “settled law in the Indian middle-class society”.

The accused, booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, was in jail since February 2025.

“After hearing the rival contention...this court is fed up with such cases. These cases are coming to the court because the concept of live-in relationship is against the settled law in the Indian middle-class society,” the Bench said.

The court added that the concept of live-in relationship went against the interest of a woman since a man can marry even after the live-in relationship but it is difficult for the woman to find a life partner after a breakup.

“The live-in-relationship has attracted the young generation a lot, but its after-effects are being seen in cases like the present one,” the judge added.

The court, on June 24, granted bail to the accused, considering the fact that he had no previous criminal history, the nature of the allegations against him and overcrowding in jails.