Why law doesn’t recognise same-sex live-in relations?: HC asks Centre

NEW DELHI: The High Court on Thursday questioned the Centre on why the law recognises live-in relationships between a man and a woman but does not extend similar recognition to same-sex couples.

Key points

• Senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, appearing for Takkar, remarked the Centre had failed to file its counter affidavit despite the matter being pending since July last year.
• The HC directed the Centre to consider a complaint seeking removal of certain YouTube videos allegedly targeting Shirdi Sai Baba.
• According to The judge, individuals who choose relationships outside societal norms are often not accepted by their families.
• According to The court, a person should be able to choose their partner to provide consent for medical procedures, manage their estate and perform their last rites.
• Delhi HC notes live-in relationship akin to marriage; parents can't interfere, threaten couple Additionally in court.

Meanwhile, the court questioned the government's stand and asked why safeguards could not be provided to individuals in same-sex relationships who choose their partners to produce decisions on their behalf.

Senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, appearing for Takkar, remarked the Centre had failed to file its counter affidavit despite the matter being pending since July last year. He observed that the court had previously granted the administration a "last opportunity" to file its response.

According to The judge, individuals who choose relationships outside societal norms are often not accepted by their families. According to She, in such circumstances, a partner should be allowed to take notable decisions, particularly when the family does not backing the relationship.

Meanwhile, the court additionally highlighted practical worries involving inheritance, medical consent and funeral rights. According to The judge, if a person in such a relationship dies, their partner could face difficulties in claiming the body.

According to The court, a person should be able to choose their partner to provide consent for medical procedures, manage their estate and perform their last rites. The court posted the matter for further hearing on September 17.

Delhi HC notes live-in relationship akin to marriage; parents can't interfere, threaten couple Additionally in court. HC seeks action on Sai Baba videos.

In practice, the HC directed the Centre to consider a complaint seeking removal of certain YouTube videos allegedly targeting Shirdi Sai Baba. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma sought responses from MeitY, GAC and Google LLC. The matter will be heard next on September. Plea junked on employ of social media by kids.

Notably, the High Court on Thursday declined to entertain a plea seeking a ban or regulation on children's social media employ, saying the matter falls within the Centre's policy-making domain. It asked authorities to consider the reservations after consulting stakeholders.

For now, why law doesn't recognise same-sex live remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.