Allahabad High Court
NOORI AND ANOTHERversusSTATE OF U.P. AND 3 OTHERS
- Decided
- Bench
- GAUTAM CHOWDHARY
Holding
Adult individuals in a live-in relationship are entitled to protection of their life and liberty under Article 21, and the police must provide such protection without requiring a marriage or an FIR.
Summary
The petitioners, two adult unmarried individuals in a live-in relationship, sought a writ of mandamus directing the State not to interfere with their peaceful cohabitation and to provide police protection against threats from family members. The Court noted that the facts were similar to a prior decision (Akanksha & Another v. State of U.P.) and reiterated that the right to life and liberty under Article 21 is paramount, irrespective of marital status. It held that no one, including family, may obstruct the petitioners' choice of partner, and the State has a constitutional duty to protect them. The Court directed that the petitioners may approach the Commissioner of Police or the concerned police officer with a certified copy of the order for immediate protection, provided they are adults and have not committed any offence. The order also permitted verification of age where documentary proof is lacking. The petition was consequently disposed of.
Issues considered
- Whether adult unmarried individuals in a live-in relationship are entitled to protection of life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- Whether the State can be directed to issue a writ of mandamus to prevent family members from harassing such individuals.
- Whether the absence of a formal marriage affects the applicability of fundamental rights and police protection.
Subjects
- live-in relationship
- Article 21
- right to life
- fundamental rights
- police protection
- writ of mandamus
- unmarried adults
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
WRIT - C No. - 35461 of 2026
Noori And Another
.....Petitioner(s)
Versus
State Of U.P. And 3 Others
.....Respondent(s)
Counsel for Petitioner(s) : Dhiresh Kumar
Counsel for Respondent(s) : C.S.C.
Court No. - 75
HON'BLE DR. GAUTAM CHOWDHARY, J.
1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned Standing Counsel for
the State-respondents and perused the material on record.
2. By means of the present writ petition, the petitioners have prayed for a
writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents not to interfere
in their peaceful life and also for a direction to provide protection.
3. It is stated by the learned counsel for the petitioners that both the
petitioners are major. They are unmarried and are staying in a live-in
relationship. Further, it is stated that private respondent and other family
members have got annoyed and there is serious danger to their lives as
they are being threatened and harassed. Hence, the petitioners have filed
this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for
issuance of a direction upon the Police Authorities to protect their life
from the private respondents.
4. The issue involved in the present petition has already been dealt with in
Writ-C No. 35171 of 2025 (Akanksha and Another vs. State of U.P.
and Three Others), decided on 17.12.2025. The facts of the present case
is similar to the facts of Akanksha (supra). Therefore the present writ
petition is being disposed of in the following terms.
5. Once an individual, who is a major, has chosen his/her partner, it is not
for any other person, be it a family member, to object and cause a
hindrance to their peaceful existence. It is the bounden duty of the State,
as per the Constitutional obligations casted upon it, to protect the life and
liberty of every citizen. Right to human life is to be treated on much
WRIC No. 35461 of 2026
2
higher pedestal, regardless of a citizen being minor or major, married or
unmarried. Mere fact that the petitioners have not solemnized marriage,
would not deprive them of their fundamental right as envisaged in the
Constitution of India being citizens of India. This Court has no hesitation
to hold that the Constitutional's fundamental right under Article 21 of the
Constitution of India stands on a much higher pedestal. Being sacrosanct,
under the Constitutional scheme it must be protected, regardless of the
solemnization of marriage or even the absence of any marriage between
the parties.
6. The petitioners herein, who are major, have taken a decision to reside
together without the sanctity of the marriage and it is not for the Courts to
judge them on their decision. If the petitioners herein have not committed
any offence, this Court sees no reason as to why their prayer for grant of
protection cannot be acceded to.
7. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is
of the view that the petitioners are at liberty to live together peacefully
and no person shall be permitted to interfere in their peaceful living. As
right to life is a fundamental life ensured under Article 21 of the
Constitution wherein it is provided that no person shall be deprived of his
right to life and personal liberty except according to procedure established
by law.
8. In case, any disturbance is caused in the peaceful living of the
petitioners, the petitioners shall approach the Commissioner of
Police/SSP/SP concerned with certified copy of this order and the Police
Officer after being satisfied that the petitioners are major and willingly
living together, will provide immediate protection to the petitioners. If the
petitioners are educated and they produce their educational certificates
and other certificates admissible under law, from which it is evident that
they have attained the majority and they are living with their free will
then no Police Officer shall take any coercive action against them unless
an F.I.R. is registered against them in respect of any offence whatsoever.
If they do not have any documentary proof regarding age and they come
from rural background and or illiterate/semi-literate, the Police Officer
can subject such boy or girl to ossification test to verify their correct age
and he can also follow the other procedure permissible under the law.
WRIC No. 35461 of 2026
3
9. With the aforesaid observations/directions, the instant petition is
disposed off.
(Dr. Gautam Chowdhary,J.)
September 8, 2026
S.Ali
Digitally signed by :-
SHAUKAT ALI
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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