Madhya Pradesh HC: Live-in relationships are Giving Rise in Sexual Offences, Promoting Promiscuity

Khushi Gupta

Published on: April 20, 2022 at 15:36 IST

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has observed that live-in relationships are giving rise to Sexual Offences and Promoting Promiscuity.

The man was in a live-in relationship with the complainant who underwent two forced abortions. The relationship fell apart and the woman got engaged to someone else. But the man started blackmailing her leading to the cancellation of the marriage.

The Accused threatened she would commit suicide and the family would also be held responsible for the suicide by sending a video message to the future in-laws.

Justice Subodh Abhyankar observed, “Taking note of the spurt of such Offences in recent times arising out of live-in relationships, this Court is forced to observe that the bane of live-in-relationship is a by-product of Constitutional guarantee as provided under Art. 21, engulfing the ethos of Indian society, and promoting lascivious behaviour, giving further rise to sexual offences”.

“Those who wanted to exploit this Freedom are quick to embrace it, but are totally ignorant that it has its own limitations, and does not confer any right on any of the partners to such relationship,” the Court said.

“…….barring some exceptions…it has not yet reached such level (advance or lower) of civilization where unmarried girls, regardless of their religion, indulge in carnal activities with boys just for the fun of it, unless the same is backed by some future promise/assurance of marriage and to prove her point, it is not necessary every time for a victim to try to commit suicide as in the present Case,” the Court had observed.

Also Read- Legality of Live-in Relationships in India

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