The Allahabad High Court, commenting on live-in relationships, has stated that they are against the traditional values of the Indian middle-class society. This comment was made while granting conditional bail to Shane Alam, accused of having physical relations with a minor after making a false promise of marriage.
Shane Alam is charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act. He is accused of having relations with the minor girl by luring her with the promise of marriage and later denying it. The victim's lawyer presented it as a clear case of sexual exploitation in the court. The accused was in jail since February 25th and does not have a criminal record.
Court Expresses Concern Over the Growing Trend of Live-in Relationships
The bench of Justice Siddhartha said that there has been a significant increase in such cases after the Supreme Court recognized live-in relationships. The court acknowledged that this is becoming a social challenge. Although this relationship may seem attractive to the youth, its social and legal consequences are very serious.
The court, describing the concept of live-in relationships as contrary to Indian culture, said that women suffer the most from it. They not only have to face legal complications, but they also have to suffer humiliation and insecurity in society.
Questioning Social Thinking
This comment by the court has sparked a new debate regarding live-in relationships. While the law recognizes this relationship, a large section of society has still not been able to accept it. This decision of the court not only draws attention to the social effects of live-in relationships, but it also indicates that more clear laws or guidelines may come up on this subject in the future.
