The Andhra Pradesh High Court has reaffirmed the right of a lesbian couple to live together, emphasizing their autonomy in choosing partners.

A bench led by Justice R. Raghunandan Rao and Justice K. Maheswara Rao heard a habeas corpus petition filed by Kavitha (name changed), whose partner Lalitha (name changed) was allegedly detained by her father against her will in Narsipatnam.

On Tuesday, the Court ordered Lalitha's parents to refrain from interfering in their relationship, asserting that as an adult, she has the right to make her own decisions. The couple had been cohabiting in Vijayawada for the past year. Following a missing person complaint by Kavitha, police located Lalitha at her father's residence, rescuing her and placing her in a welfare home for 15 days, despite her insistence that she is an adult and wishes to live with her partner.

Lalitha had previously filed a harassment complaint against her parents regarding their objections to the relationship.

After police intervention, Lalitha returned to Vijayawada and resumed work while continuing to meet her partner.

However, Lalitha's father forcibly took her away again, prompting Kavitha to file the habeas corpus petition.

In defense, Kavitha's lawyer cited previous Supreme Court rulings and argued that Lalitha had expressed her desire to live with Kavitha, intending to withdraw her complaint against her parents. The Court, after hearing Lalitha’s testimony, directed that no criminal action be taken against her family members.