Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur

Jaipur, Dec 5: In a significant ruling, the Rajasthan High Court has affirmed that two consenting adults are entitled to live together even if they have not attained the legal age of marriage, stressing that constitutional rights cannot be restricted on that basis.

Justice Anoop Dhand made the observation while hearing a protection plea filed by an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man from Kota, who approached the court stating they were living together of their own free will. The couple informed the bench that they entered into a live-in agreement on October 27, 2025.

In their plea, they alleged that the woman’s family was opposed to their relationship and had issued threats to their lives. Despite filing a complaint with the Kota police, no action was taken, they said.

The state counsel objected to the petition, arguing that since the man had not reached 21 years — the minimum legal age for marriage for males — he should not be permitted to stay in a live-in arrangement.

Rejecting the contention, the court ruled that the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be denied merely because the individuals are not of marriageable age. The judge noted that live-in relationships are neither prohibited nor criminalised under Indian law, and the state has a duty to protect every citizen.

Justice Dhand directed the Superintendents of Police of Bhilwara and Jodhpur (Rural) to verify the threat allegations and provide necessary protection to the couple if required.