Concept of Marriage on Puberty Under Muslim Law Not Applicable to Live-In Relationships: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that the concept of marriage upon attaining puberty under Muslim personal law cannot be extended to validate or protect live-in relationships outside marriage.

The Court observed that even if certain schools of Muslim law recognise marriage after puberty, such recognition applies only to a valid marriage and not to cohabitation without nikah.

The case involved an interfaith couple seeking protection for their live-in relationship, where the male partner was below the statutory marriage age of 21 years.

The Court held that secular laws prescribing minimum marriageable age cannot be bypassed through a “marriage-like” live-in arrangement and dismissed the plea while allowing the couple to seek police protection in case of threats.

[Shajiya Parveen & Anr. v. State of U.P. & 3 Ors.]