President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, which makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory, penalises non-registration of marriages and live-in relationships with fines or up to six months’ imprisonment, and applies to Gujarat residents inside and outside the State.
The Allahabad High Court has granted protection to a same-sex couple in a live-in relationship, holding that two consenting adults have a fundamental right under Article 21 to live together peacefully, irrespective of their sexual orientation or of social and family opposition. Relying on Navtej Singh Johar and Supriyo, the Court held that while legal recognition of same-sex marriage is a matter for the legislature, the absence of marital status gives no third party or authority the licence to attack the dignity or physical safety of adult citizens.
The Allahabad High Court ruled that UP’s anti-conversion law does not prohibit interfaith marriages or live-in relationships between consenting adults. The Court said the right to live with a person of one’s choice, regardless of religion, is protected under Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution.
