Bhopal:

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken a major step towards recognizing the rights of women in live-in relationships, ruling that women who live with a man for a long time are entitled to alimony upon separation even if they are not legally married.

The ruling came in response to a petitioner challenging a trial court order directing him to pay a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 to a woman with whom he was in a live-in relationship.

The judge stressed that alimony cannot be denied if there is evidence of a cohabitation relationship, which was a progressive move. The high court cited the findings of the trial court, which concluded that the man and the woman had been living as husband and wife. Furthermore, the court confirmed the woman’s right to alimony, taking into account the birth of a child during the relationship.

This landmark decision highlights the changing legal landscape regarding live-in relationships in India. It means departing from traditional norms and recognizing women’s rights and vulnerabilities in such partnerships.

In February this year, Uttarakhand enacted a Uniform Civil Code to provide a unified legal framework for marriage, divorce, land, property and inheritance laws to all citizens. One of the provisions of the Act is that de facto relationships must be registered. It also states that if the couple are adults under 21, their parents will be notified.