Dr. Mohita Chhibber, Ph. D., Mumbai University
ABSTRACT
Live- in relationship is a relation in which two adults live together like a married couple without marriage. Here, we are mainly dealing with heterosexual relationships, although this may aptly apply even to homosexual relationships. Thus, it is an emotional as well as a sexual relationship; it may be temporary or permanent in nature. Sometimes, such couples may also end up marrying each other. Speaking of India, the society is still not acceptable to live-in relations. The concern of the paper here is not to look into the acceptability of live-in relations rather look at the legal perspective of the same. Legal sanction has been granted to live-in relations but looking at the maintenance rights of women or the rights of the children, the legal provisions are still lacking. It is important to discuss here the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and others and the various cases on the same.
Keywords: Nuptial Ties, Live-In-Relationship, Legal Rights, Sanctity of marriage, Domestic Violence, Right to Maintenance, Children born out of Live-In- Relationship,
