Legal Rights of a Spouse in a Live-in Relationship in India
Legal Rights of a Spouse in a Live-in Relationship in India 1. Protection Under the Domestic Violence Act One of the major legal safeguards for women in live-in relationships comes under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA). According to the Act, women who are in live-in relationships that resemble the nature of marriage are granted the same protections against domestic abuse as legally married women. This includes: - Protection from physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and economic abuse, - Right to claim maintenance, - Right to reside in a shared household, and - Right to seek compensation for harm or distress caused. 2. Right to Maintenance Under Criminal Procedure Code The Supreme Court of India has interpreted Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to also extend to women in long-term live-in relationships. If the relationship mirrors that of marriage-meaning it is stable, continuous, and recognized by societ...
