Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The High Court has permitted a boy and girl above 18 years of age to live together but has expressed concerns over their live-in relationship.
The petitioners state that both are above 18 years of age. Although the boy is less than 21 years old and not eligible for marriage, both petitioners are legally adults and are living together of their own volition. The girl’s biological mother has passed away, and she chose to live with the boy as the atmosphere in her house was not conducive for her to reside there.
The counsel for the petitioners further submitted that the Supreme Court, in the case of Nandakumar v. State of Kerala (2018) 16 SCC 602, recognized the right of two consenting adults to live together, even if they are not legally eligible to marry. Therefore, it was argued that the petitioners, despite not being married, should be protected from any interference, including from their parents.
In view of the above arguments and the judgments of the Supreme Court in Lata Singh v. State of U.P. (2006) 5 SCC 475 and Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) 7 SCC 192, the Court allowed the petition. Despite the girl being less than 21 years of age, both petitioners are above 18, and their choice to live together must be protected from external interference.
However, the Court expressed concerns over the petitioners’ decision to enter into a live-in relationship at such a tender age, as they may lack emotional maturity and financial independence.
