Daijiworld Media Network – Prayagraj

Prayagraj, Sep 20: The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to provide protection to an inter-faith same-sex couple in a live-in relationship, observing that the absence of marital recognition does not permit anyone to violate the dignity or physical safety of adult citizens.

Justice Gautam Chowdhary said the two women had the freedom to live together peacefully without interference from their family members or any other person.

The couple's counsel told the court that the women faced threats to their lives from their family members and urgently required police protection. The state government's counsel, however, argued that same-sex relationships were not accepted and affected the "natural and traditional framework of society".

After interacting with the couple, the court found that both were adults and had chosen to live together voluntarily, without pressure, fear or undue influence.

The court directed that if any obstacle was created in their live-in relationship, the police should immediately provide security after verifying that the women were adults and were living together voluntarily.

Referring to the law laid down by the Supreme Court, the court observed that two adult citizens have a fundamental right to live together by choice. It said family members, relatives or any section of society had no legal right to interfere with or violate their physical liberty.

In its September 14 order, the court further observed that the absence of legal recognition of a marriage does not give anyone the liberty to attack the dignity or physical safety of adult citizens.