Adult woman’s constitutional right to have partner of choice: Uttarakhand High Court

The Uttarakhand High Court has ruled that an adult woman is entitled to choose her life partner and that such a choice is safeguarded under Article 21 of the Constitution, as she stated she was residing with her partner voluntarily and intended to marry him. Justice Alok Mahra ordered the police to assess the couple's threat perception and provide protection if a genuine and immediate threat was identified.

The court emphasized that a major woman can select her partner independently. The couple, who have been in a consensual relationship for about seven years, applied for marriage under the Special Marriage Act but faced opposition from her family, who threatened them. They approached the High Court for protection, claiming their relationship was consensual and that the threats endangered their life and liberty.

The state argued in favor of examining the couple's claims and provided police protection if necessary. The court affirmed their right to protection under Article 21 and directed the police to investigate for any threat to their safety.