The Allahabad High Court recently noted that live-in relationships lack social acceptance and emphasized the need for a framework to uphold “moral values” in society.

Justice Nalin Kumar Srivastava further remarked that the “moral values” and “normal conduct” of the younger generation were rapidly evolving in response to societal changes.

“So far as the live-in relationship is concerned, it has got no social sanction but since the youth is attracted to such relations because a young person, male or female, can easily escape from his / her liability to his / her partner, their attraction is rapidly increasing in favour of such relations. It is a high time when we all should think over it and try to find out some framework and solution to save the moral values in the society,” the Court said.

The Court made these observations while considering a bail application filed by a man accused of raping his former live-in partner. The victim claimed that the accused continued their relationship under the false promise of marriage.

Previously, the Special Judge (SC/ST) had denied bail, prompting the appeal before the High Court. Additionally, the police had invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused.

In his defense, the accused argued that the relationship was consensual and had lasted for about six years. He denied causing the victim’s abortion and contended that he never promised to marry her. However, the State countered that the accused committed the offences with knowledge of the victim’s SC/ST status.

After considering the consensual nature of the relationship, the Court granted bail, stating that the lower court had erred in rejecting the bail application. The impugned order was found to be flawed and unlawful, and the High Court set it aside, allowing the appeal.

Advocate Ankit Kapoor represented the petitioner, while Advocate Mohak Agarwal represented the respondent.