Live-in partners can seek protection under Section 498A, says Supreme Court
The Indian Supreme Court has ruled that Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which protects against cruelty, now extends to partners in live-in relationships. The court emphasized that legal protections must adapt to evolving social norms beyond traditional marriage.
Why it matters
This ruling significantly expands legal rights and protections for individuals in non-marital domestic partnerships in India.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court said Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cruelty by a husband or his relatives, would also apply to partners in live-in relationships, expanding the scope of the provision beyond formally married couples. The court said the law must evolve with changing social realities and ensure protection for individuals facing harassment in live-in relationships.The bench observed that legal safeguards against cruelty should not be restricted to marriage alone.
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