The judgment establishes the principle that consenting adults have the right to engage in a live-in-relationship without interference from external authorities, in accordance with their individual choice and freedom.

JUDGMENT :

1. Heard the learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.

2. This writ petition has been filed with the prayer to quash the F.I.R. dated 18.10.2022, registered in Case Crime No. 227 of 2022, under Sections-363 and 366 I.P.C., Police Station-Narhi, District-Ballia.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that both the petitioners are major, which is not being disputed by the learned counsel for the informant. Live-in-relationship is the voluntary outcome of their free will and of no one else except themselves. Petitioners pray that they not be disturbed in the peaceful enjoyment of their relationship as such.

4. An affidavit sworn in by both the petitioners accompanying the writ petition, has been filed. Reliance has been placed on the decision of Supreme Court rendered in Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. & others, reported in 2018 SCC Online SC 343, after stating the law pertaining to writ of Habeas Corpus, this writ has been considered as a great constitutional privilege or the first security of civil liberty. The Court made the following pertinent observations: -

"28. Thus, the pivotal purpose of the said writ is to see that no one is deprived of his/her liberty without sanction of law. It is the primary duty of the State to see that the said right is not sullied in any manner whatsoever and its sanctity is not affected by any kind of subgterfuge."

5. The Court also emphasised due importance to the right of choice of an adult person which the Constitution accords to an adult person as under:

"54. It is obligatory to state here that expression of choice in accord with law is acceptance of individual identity. Curtailment of that expression and the ultimate action emanating therefrom on the conceptual structuralism of obeisance to the societal will destroy the individualistic entity of a person. The social values and morals have their space but they are not above the constitutionally guaranteed freedom. The said freedom is both a constitutional and a human right. Deprivation of that freedom which is ingrained in choice on the plea of faith is impermissible.

55. Non-acceptance of her choice would simply mean creating discomfort to the constitutional right by a Constitutional Court which is meant to be the protector of fundamental rights. Such a situation cannot remotely be conceived. The duty of the Court is to uphold the right and not to abridge the sphere of the right unless there is a valid authority of law." Reliance has been placed on the decision rendered by Supreme Court in Nandakumar & another vs. The State of Kerala & others, reported in (2018) 16 SCC 602. The relevant portion of the decision is extracted:

"For our purposes, it is sufficient to note that both appellant No. 1 and Thushara are major. Even if they were not competent to enter into wedlock (which position itself is disputed), they have right to live together even outside wedlock. It would not be out of place to mention that live-in relationship is now recognized by the Legislature itself which has found its place under the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005."

6. Having regard to the view taken in Shafin Jahan (supra), we are of the opinion that obviously as per the assertion made by way of affidavit attached to this petition, live-in-relationship has been claimed. The date of birth of both the petitioners specify them to be major and they claim their decision to be based upon voluntarily will/option. Consequently, since both are major, no authority or person should intervene or intercept their enjoyment of live-in-relationship.

7. Hence, considering the facts and circumstances of the case and nature of offence, the impugned F.I.R. is hereby quashed.

8. The writ petition stands allowed.