Rajasthan high court affirmed that two consenting adults, even below marriageable age, have the right to a live-in relationship. Rejecting the argument that the male’s age prevented cohabitation, the court cited Article 21, stating fundamental rights cannot be denied. Live-in relationships are not illegal, and the state must ensure protection. File photo JAIPUR: The Rajasthan HC has held that two consenting adults have the right to be in a live-in relationship even if they have not attained legal age for marriage. The legal marriageable age for women in India is 18 years, and for men, 21. At 18, men and women are considered adults.. Justice Anoop Dhand delivered the judgment on Monday while hearing a protection petition filed by an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old youth from Kota. A copy of the order was uploaded Thursday. Both had approached the HC seeking police protection, stating they had entered a live-in relationship by mutual consent.‘Not of right age doesn’t mean one can be deprived of rights’Both had approached the high court seeking police protection, stating they had entered a live-in relationship by mutual consent. The couple executed a live-in agreement on Oct 27, 2025. However, the girl’s family opposed it and allegedly threatened to kill them. The petitioners told the court that despite submitting a written request to the police in Kota, no action was taken.Appearing for the state, Vivek Choudhary, the public prosecutor argued that since the boy had not completed 21 years of age, he could not legally marry, and, therefore, should not be allowed to be in a live-in partnership.However, the HC rejected this reasoning, observing that the “right to life and personal liberty” is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, and any threat to it amounts to a constitutional violation.Justice Dhand emphasised that the constitutional duty of the State is to protect the life and liberty of every citizen. “Only because the petitioners are not marriageable by law, they cannot be deprived of their fundamental rights,” the court observed.The court also said live-in relationships are neither illegal, nor an offence under Indian law, directing Bhilwara and Jodhpur (Rural) SPs to verify the facts mentioned in the petition, particularly the threat perception, and provide protection to the couple, if needed.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Never Going With RJD Again” Nitish Kumar’s Sharp Swipe At RJD Bloc In AssemblyPM Modi Welcomes President Putin With Warm Hug Ahead Of India-Russia SummitHugs, Handshakes & High Diplomacy: Modi-Putin Bond Defines India-Russia SummitShashi Tharoor Says Strengthening Russia Ties Won’t Affect Relations With US, China‘Light Of My Life’ Swaraj Kaushal Passes Away At 73; Daughter Bansuri Pays Heartfelt TributePM Modi Breaks Protocol, Receives Vladimir Putin With A Hug, Shares Car In Big India-Russia MomentPutin Visit To Boost India-Russia Trade To New Highs, Says WTC ChairmanPiyush Goyal Hails Russia As India’s Trusted Friend, Urges Removal Of Trade BarriersIndia And Russia Boost Military Ties As Rajnath Singh Highlights Strategic Tech PartnershipAfghanistan FM Muttaqi Defends India Ties, Slams Pakistan Over Deoband Row And Shifting Accusations123PhotostoriesVikrant Massey on underdog stories and complex heroes; Nuanced characters that highlight his versatile talentNutrition fact of the day: How much protein do I need to consume in a day?6 types of winter Halwas from the bylanes of Purani DilliWhat Déjà Vu really means in spirituality; some interpretations will leave you shocked5 workouts proven to boost heart health and longevityNature’s rainbow feathered wonders: 5 colourful birds that paint the sky as they fly5 love quotes from Jane Austen that feel like a warm hug on a winter evening5 foods you should not cook in an iron kadhaiThe Spiritual Meaning of Angel Numbers You Keep SeeingRekha and Kajol to Aishwarya Rai: When Bollywood magazine covers went too far, and made history123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingStephen Curry WifeNBA Trade RumorsRaKai Walmart IncidentCandace OwensNHL Trade RumorDak PrescottTravis KelceKobe BryantLuka DoncicGolden State Warriors vs Philadelphia 76ers
JAIPUR: The Rajasthan HC has held that two consenting adults have the right to be in a live-in relationship even if they have not attained legal age for marriage. The legal marriageable age for women in India is 18 years, and for men, 21. At 18, men and women are considered adults.. Justice Anoop Dhand delivered the judgment on Monday while hearing a protection petition filed by an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old youth from Kota. A copy of the order was uploaded Thursday. Both had approached the HC seeking police protection, stating they had entered a live-in relationship by mutual consent.‘Not of right age doesn’t mean one can be deprived of rights’Both had approached the high court seeking police protection, stating they had entered a live-in relationship by mutual consent. The couple executed a live-in agreement on Oct 27, 2025. However, the girl’s family opposed it and allegedly threatened to kill them. The petitioners told the court that despite submitting a written request to the police in Kota, no action was taken.Appearing for the state, Vivek Choudhary, the public prosecutor argued that since the boy had not completed 21 years of age, he could not legally marry, and, therefore, should not be allowed to be in a live-in partnership.However, the HC rejected this reasoning, observing that the “right to life and personal liberty” is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, and any threat to it amounts to a constitutional violation.Justice Dhand emphasised that the constitutional duty of the State is to protect the life and liberty of every citizen. “Only because the petitioners are not marriageable by law, they cannot be deprived of their fundamental rights,” the court observed.The court also said live-in relationships are neither illegal, nor an offence under Indian law, directing Bhilwara and Jodhpur (Rural) SPs to verify the facts mentioned in the petition, particularly the threat perception, and provide protection to the couple, if needed.