Rajasthan High Court: Live-In Couple Entitled to Protection Even If Boy Is Below 21

The Rajasthan High Court has directed the Nodal Officer of a police station to promptly decide protection requests filed by an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man in a live-in relationship, who feared threats from family members.

Citing Supreme Court rulings, the Court emphasized that consensual live-in relationships between adults do not constitute an offence. Even though the man had not reached the legal age for marriage, the couple’s right to live together was recognized.

The Court underscored that police are duty-bound under Section 29 of the Rajasthan Police Act, 2007, to safeguard life and personal liberty, ensuring adequate protection for the petitioners.

[Priya Suman & Anr. v. State of Rajasthan & Ors.]