Can protection against domestic cruelty extend to live-in relationships? | Explained
The Supreme Court has held that women in certain live-in relationships can invoke Section 498A, but only if the relationship is “in the nature of marriage” and there is an intention to marry
In the legal case of Dr Lokesh B.H. & Ors v. State of Karnataka & Anr, the Supreme Court deliberated on whether Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) could be applied to a man in a live-in relationship and whether the term "husband" under the section is exclusively limited to legally valid marriages. The appellant contended that since he and his partner were never legally married, Section 498A could not be applied to him.
However, the Karnataka High Court disagreed with this argument and denied the quashing of the criminal proceedings against him. Consequently, the appellant appealed to the Supreme Court for a resolution.
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