Allahabad HC: Live-In Relationships Legal, Police Must Protect Couples From Threats

• Allahabad High Court ordered police protection for 12 live-in couples facing threats from their families.
• The court affirmed that live-in relationships are not illegal and fall under constitutional protection of individual liberty.
• Justice Vivek Kumar Singh stated that the right to life and personal liberty does not depend on marital status, and adults can choose their living arrangements.
• The ruling emphasized that social discomfort cannot override constitutional rights and the State's obligation to protect citizens.
• It aligns with the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and reinforces personal autonomy, distancing itself from previous rulings denying protection.

Why It Matters: Allahabad HC upholds individual liberty, mandates police protection for live-in couples.