Is A Live-In Relationship Recognized As Marriage Under Indian Law?

In India, a live-in relationship is not legally recognized as a marriage under the law, but it has certain legal implications and protections, particularly concerning maintenance, domestic violence, and children born from such relationships. While it does not confer the same status as a formal marriage, the courts have increasingly provided legal safeguards to individuals in live-in relationships.

Legal Status of Live-In Relationships in India

1. Not a Marriage:

   A live-in relationship is defined as an arrangement where an unmarried couple lives together and shares an intimate, domestic life without the legal recognition of marriage. According to Indian law, a live-in relationship does not automatically qualify as a marriage.

2. Rights and Protections:

   Despite not being a legally recognized marriage, the Supreme Court of India has granted certain rights to individuals in live-in relationships, particularly in matters such as:

   • Protection from Domestic Violence: The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, extends protection to women in live-in relationships. A woman in a live-in relationship can seek legal remedies under this act if she faces abuse or neglect.
   • Maintenance: The Supreme Court has held that a woman in a live-in relationship has the right to seek maintenance from her partner under certain circumstances, especially if the relationship has been long-standing or if the woman has been financially dependent on her partner.

Rights of Children

Children born out of a live-in relationship are considered legitimate and have the right to inheritance and other benefits, as per Indian law. The child’s rights to property and maintenance are protected regardless of whether the relationship is formalized by marriage.

Legal Recognition of Relationship Status

In some cases, courts have recognized a long-term live-in relationship as equivalent to a marriage for certain legal purposes, such as granting maintenance or property rights. However, this recognition does not mean that live-in relationships are officially considered marriages under Indian law.

Legal Precedents

• The Supreme Court of India in its judgment (2010) in the Indra Sarma v. V.K.V. Sarma case stated that live-in relationships are valid under the law but emphasized that such relationships should not be viewed as a substitute for marriage unless certain conditions are met.
• The Delhi High Court also clarified in several rulings that live-in relationships could be considered as domestic partnerships for the purposes of legal redress under laws like the Domestic Violence Act.

Difference from Marriage

• Marriage in India is legally governed by personal laws (such as the Hindu Marriage Act, Special Marriage Act, etc.), and it entails formal procedures, registration, and social recognition.
• In contrast, a live-in relationship is informal, without legal registration, and does not automatically bestow the legal rights and privileges that come with marriage.

Example

If a woman in a live-in relationship faces domestic abuse or neglect, she can file a complaint under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act for protection and claim maintenance, even though the relationship is not legally a marriage.

This answer outlines the current status of live-in relationships under Indian law, including the legal implications and rights afforded to those involved in such arrangements.