Lucknow, Sept. 20 -- The Allahabad High Court has held that an adult has the right under Article 21 of the Constitution to choose a partner, exercise personal autonomy and live with a consenting partner. Family opposition, social disapproval or traditional beliefs cannot be used to interfere with such freedom, the court said.
Justice Dr Gautam Chaudhary made the observation while hearing a petition filed by two adult women from Varanasi who are in a same-sex live-in relationship and had sought protection from their families and relatives.
The women told the court that they were both adults and unmarried and had been living together voluntarily. They belong to different religions and alleged that their family members and relatives were interfering with their peaceful life. They also expressed apprehension about their safety.
In compliance with an earlier order, both women appeared personally before the court. The judge spoke to them separately and recorded their statements.
The women told the court that they were adults and capable of understanding the consequences of their decision. They said they were living together without fear, pressure or undue influence and wanted to continue living together.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.