Live-In Relationship Without Divorce May Be Bigamy: High Court Ruling
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has ruled that living with another woman while still being legally married may amount to bigamy under Sections 494 and 495 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The court made this observation in response to a petition filed by a live-in couple who sought police protection from alleged threats by the man’s wife’s relatives.
Case Background
The petitioners stated that they had been in a live-in relationship since September and that the man’s family had accepted their relationship. However, the woman’s family strongly opposed it and allegedly issued death threats to them.
While reviewing the case, the court found that:
- The man was already married and had a child with his wife.
- The petition mentioned an ongoing divorce case, but no information was provided about its status.
- The couple did not submit evidence proving the threats against them.
Court’s Observations
The High Court noted that without valid proof, vague allegations cannot be accepted.
Justice Tiwari stated that the petition appeared to be an attempt to avoid criminal prosecution for adultery. The court believed the petitioners sought a legal endorsement of their relationship under the guise of seeking protection.
Final Verdict
Since the petition lacked sufficient evidence and raised concerns about the man’s unresolved divorce, the High Court dismissed the plea.
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