In a pointed observation on the fallout of live-in relationships, the Allahabad High Court has said that while the arrangement may appeal to younger generations, women often suffer greater consequences when such relationships collapse.
Justice Siddharth, while granting bail to a man accused of sexually exploiting a woman under the false promise of marriage, remarked:
“A man can marry even after being in a live-in relationship with one or several women, but it is difficult for a woman to find a life partner after such a breakup.”
The case involved one Shane Alam, booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and the POCSO Act, who was accused by a woman of engaging in sexual relations with her under the promise of marriage — a promise he later allegedly reneged on.
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The judge highlighted the social stigma and emotional toll faced by women post-breakup, suggesting that the current legal framework and societal attitudes leave women more vulnerable.
The Court acknowledged that although live-in relationships are not illegal, they often blur lines between consent, commitment, and exploitation, especially when trust is breached under the guise of marriage.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court also held that long-term consensual live-in relationships cannot always be used as grounds to file rape charges based solely on a broken promise of marriage, unless coercion or fraud is clearly established.
The Allahabad High Court’s remarks have reignited debate around the legal, cultural, and emotional dimensions of live-in relationships, especially in a transitional society where modern lifestyle choices often clash with traditional values.
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