Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to ensure protection for a Hindu-Muslim lesbian couple in Varanasi whose live-in relationship was allegedly being threatened by their family members.Justice Gautam Chowdhary said that the couple has the freedom to live together peacefully without any interference from their family members or any other person.During the course of hearing, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that couple are major and living together in their own free will. In proof of his claim, he submitted the high court certificates of both of them, showing them major.After perusing the certificates, the high court directed that in case of any obstacle to the couple’s live-in relationship, the police shall immediately provide security to them.During the course of the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that the two were unmarried and in a live-in relationship. He told the court that they belonged to different faiths and were of the same sex. The counsel added that there was a serious threat to their lives from their family members and that they needed immediate police protection.However, according to the state govt counsel, there was no acceptance of same-sex relationships. It was argued that same-sex relationships affect the natural and traditional framework of society.The high court, after interacting with the couple, observed that they were majors and had decided to live together without any pressure, fear or undue influence.Considering the law laid down by the Supreme Court in this regard, the high court said that being in a live-in relationship is a fundamental right of two adult citizens who decide to live together by choice.In this backdrop, the high court added that family members, other relatives or any section of society have no legal right to disrupt or violate their physical liberty.The high court, in its order dated Sept 14, said that the lack of marital recognition does not give anyone the liberty to attack the dignity and physical safety of adult citizens.
