Protection of women in live-in relationships

While for many people living-in is a matter of personal choice, there are youngsters today who see it as a means of rebelling against their families or society. The Maharashtra government recently approved a proposal where a woman in a live-in relationship for a "reasonable period" of time would get the status of a "wife". The approval came on the heels of the recommendations of the Justice Malimath Committee, which said that if a man and a woman are living together as husband and wife for a "reasonably long period", the man shall be deemed to have married the woman according to customary rights of either party. This would give a woman in a live-in relationship the right to seek maintenance post-desertion.

Of course, it would need the Centre's stamp of approval before it can become a law. So, while it may be some more time before legal support for women in long-term live-in relationships across India comes into force.

Please sign the petition to show your support for Justice Malimath Committee recommendations.