SC Calls The PIL Seeking Registrations Of Live- In Relationships “Hare Brained Petition” While Rejecting It

The Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala on Monday dismissed a petition seeking to register the live-in relationships. The PIL sought the central government to be directed to make guidelines to register live- in relationships and to make guidelines for the securing the couples in a live-in relationship.

The petition also sought the formulation of a database where the government will be able to find out how many live-in couples are there which would be done by mandatory registration of the relationships.

The Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked if the petitioner is trying to promote the security of the couples in live-in relationships or does not want them to be in live-in relationships. The CJI remarked that costs must be imposed on such petitions and called it “Hare-brained”.

The PIL had put forth that -

"Time and again this Hon’ble Court has been the protector of the live-in partners and has passed numerous number of judgments which is having the effect of giving protection to the members of the live-in partnership be it the women, men or even the children born out of such relationship."

The petitions came in the light of violent crimes committed by live-in partners against the women in the relationship and put forth that registration of the relationship would give information to live-in partners about each other. It would also provide the government with required information in respect of their criminal history and other factors.

CASE: MAMTA RANI V. UoI

WP(C) NO. 315/2023