Co-habitation Legal

Noting that Radha and Krishna were unmarried co-habiting lovers, the Indian Supreme Court expressed the view that there are no legal impediments to unmarried couples living together.

“When two adult people want to live together, what is the offence?” they said. “Living together is not an offence. Living together is a right to life.”

The justices expressed the opinion during a hearing on a petition from the Tamil actress Khushboo who is seeking dismissal of nearly 20 cases accusing her of promoting immorality that were filed against for an interview in which she said “no educated man would expect his [bride] to be a virgin.”

During oral arguments the justices challenged lawyers for the complainants to produce evidence of any harm as a result of Khushboo’s remarks. Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan demanded: “Please tell us what is the offence and under which section should she be charged? Tell me how many people have been affected by Kushboo’s statement?”