NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has ruled that Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses cruelty inflicted by a husband or his relatives, will also be applicable to individuals in live-in relationships. The apex court emphasized the necessity for this law to adapt to evolving societal norms and to provide adequate protection for people facing harassment in such partnerships.
The bench further noted that legal protections against cruelty should not be confined exclusively to marriage. It highlighted that live-in relationships can take various forms and aren’t limited to a traditional man-woman dynamic.
Section 498A outlines penalties of up to three years of imprisonment along with fines for those found guilty of subjecting a woman to cruelty. The definition of cruelty under this law includes actions that could drive a woman to suicide, result in serious physical or mental harm, or involve harassment aimed at coercing unlawful demands for property or dowry.
This ruling marks a significant development in the recognition of the rights of individuals in non-marital relationships, underscoring the necessity for laws to stay relevant with the current social landscape.
