The Rajasthan High Court has held that two consenting adults are entitled to be in alive-in relationship even if they have not reached the legal age of marriage, reported PTI on Friday.

The legal age of marriage in India is 18 years for women and 21 years for men.

Justice Anoop Kumar Dhandpassed the order on Monday while hearing a petition filed by an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man, Law Trend reported.

The petitioners sought protection from the woman’s family, alleging that they had threatened to kill the couple.

They also alleged that they had submitted complaints to the police in Kota on November 13 and November 17, but no action was taken.

Public prosecutor Vivek Choudhary opposed the petition, stating that the man had not reached the legal age of marriage and should not be allowed to be in a live-in relationship.

Dismissing the argument, the court cited Supreme Court judgements to hold that a live-in relationship between consenting adults does not amount to an offence.

Dhand also held that the petitioner’s right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be violated just because the man had not reached the age of marriage.

“The state has a constitutional obligation to safeguard the life and liberty of every individual,” PTI quoted the judge as...

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