Meghalaya High Court has permitted quashing POCSO cases in consensual 'Romeo-Juliet' teen relationships. Allahabad High Court ruled that a married person can live with a consenting adult woman. These judgments strengthen personal liberty.
The bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice HS Thangkhiew at Meghalaya High Court stated that POCSO Act cases in consensual teen 'Romeo-Juliet' relationships can be quashed under BNSS section 528. The court recognised the risk to education, career, and lives in such cases unless there is coercion or exploitation.
Allahabad High Court's bench of Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena ruled that a married man's live-in relationship with a consenting adult woman is no crime. The court distinguished morality from law. However, a single bench of the same court denied legitimacy to a live-in without divorce.
These rulings underscore Article 21 of the Constitution on life and personal liberty. Citing Supreme Court precedents like Lata Singh and Hadiya cases, courts have kept love outside criminality.