Live -in relations regularized in Uttrakhand  

On February 6^th, the Uttarakhand government tabled the 'Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill' (draft UCC Bill) and got passed in the state legislative assembly thereafter

There are three major points of controversy

1.      Regulating the 'Live-in Relationship' BY Compulsory Registration

2.      Intimation to parents of application for such registration,

3.      The penalties imposed for non-registration.

It is much talked about the privacy aspect and fundamental rights of live-in couples on both the counts-for compulsory registration as well as intimation to parents of the parties. , live-in is a taboo subject in the larger Indian society, and registration will only deter the unmarried partners from cohabiting, thus violating their fundamental rights

 It is further criticized the criminalization of non-registration. An act shall only be criminalised if it affects the society at large, begets deterrence to its commission, and done with malafide intention.

The other side of the story as appears in discussions is that Registration of live-in relationship solely cannot tamper with the constitutional foundations of this law.

The term 'relationship in the nature of marriage' is not something alien to Indian Law, and the Prevention of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 refers to such relationships and also provides relief just like married couples. It gives recognition to the relationship which will be sooner or later accepted by society and it will no more be a taboo.

Intimation to parents of parties shall be saving many cases of fraud and exploitation in the name of live-in relations if not honestly adopted.

Penalty imposed for non-registration is also meant to control frauds and it really does not require much efforts to follow the legal requirement of statement for registration when it saves a lot from future problems.   

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