The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to grant support upon separation to a woman living with a man for an extended period of time, even if they are not legally married, is a major step towards the recognition of women’s rights in live-in relationships.
The decision was made in response to a petitioner who had contested a trial court order mandating that he give the lady he had been living with a monthly payment of ₹ 1,500.

The justices made a progressive decision by emphasizing that if there is proof of the couple living together, maintenance cannot be refused. The trial court’s conclusion that the man and woman had been living as husband and wife was cited by the High Court. In addition, the woman’s right to maintenance was upheld by the court due to the birth of a child during the relationship.

This important ruling highlights how India’s laws governing live-in partnerships are changing. It denotes a break from custom and an understanding of the rights and vulnerabilities that women have in these kinds of relationships.

Earlier, Uttarakhand introduced a single civil code in February to give all inhabitants access to consistent laws regarding inheritance, land, divorce, and marriage. A part of the bill required live-in relationships to be registered. Additionally, it specifies that if the couple consists of adults under the age of 21, their parents will be informed.