A single-judge bench of the Rajasthan High Court has instructed the state government to create a web portal for registering live in relationships. While hearing multiple petitions filed by live-in couples seeking protection.

The bench of Justice Annop Kumar Dhand emphasized that, until a formal law is passed, these relationships should be registered with a designated authority or tribunal.

"Several couples are residing in a 'live-in' relationship and are facing threat and danger from their families and the society for non-acceptance of their relationship status. Hence, they are approaching the courts by way of filing writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution, seeking protection under Article 21. As a result, courts are inundated with such petitions," the bench noted.

Emphasizing the need to regulate live-in relationships, which it described as "unique," the Rajasthan High Court observed that while such arrangements may appear appealing, they come with numerous challenges. The bench noted that a woman in a live-in relationship does not hold the status of a wife and that such relationships lack social approval or sanctity. It further stated that live-in relationship agreements should be registered with a competent authority or tribunal, which the government must establish.

"Till the enactment of an appropriate legislation by the government, let a competent authority be established in each district to look into the matter of registering live-in-relationships, who will address and redress the grievances of such partners/couples who have entered into such a relationship and the children being born out therefrom.

"Let a website or web portal be launched in this regard for the redressal of the issue arising out of such a relationship," the bench said.

The bench directed that a copy of the order be forwarded to the chief secretary, the principal secretary of the law and justice department, and the secretary of the department of justice and social welfare in New Delhi, urging them to examine the issue and take appropriate action.

"They are further directed to send a compliance report to this court on or before 01.03.2025 and apprise this court about the steps being taken by them," the bench said.

The court also referred the matter to a larger bench of the High Court to determine whether married individuals entering into live-in relationships without dissolving their marriage are eligible to seek protection orders from the court.