Punjab & Haryana High Court Grants Protection to Couple in Live-In Relationship Despite Woman Being Married; Cites Right to Life and Liberty Under Article 21
Case Name: Kalpna Devi & Another v. State of Punjab & Others
Date of Judgment: October 31, 2025
Citation: CRWP-11680-2025
Bench: Hon’ble Ms. Justice Rupinderjit Chahal
Held: The Punjab & Haryana High Court held that every individual, including those in a live-in relationship, is entitled to protection of life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution, even if one of the partners is married. Justice Rupinderjit Chahal observed that personal choices regarding relationships fall within the ambit of individual autonomy and that no one can be permitted to take the law into their own hands. Without commenting on the legality of the relationship, the Court directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar, to assess the threat perception and provide necessary protection to the petitioners.
Summary: The petitioners—Kalpna Devi (already married to one Vikram) and Gurpreet Singh (unmarried)—approached the Court seeking protection from private respondents threatening their lives due to their live-in relationship. They relied on previous decisions of the High Court, including Pardeep Singh v. State of Haryana (CRWP-4521-2021), Paramjit Kaur v. State of Punjab (CRWP-7874-2021), and Amandeep Kaur v. State of Punjab (CRWP-10411-2021), where similar protection was granted.
The Court reiterated that live-in relationships, though socially unconventional, are not prohibited by law and cannot be treated as offences. It cited the Division Bench judgment in Ishrat Bano v. State of Punjab (LPA-769-2021), which emphasized that the right to life and liberty exists irrespective of the legality or moral approval of the relationship. Justice Chahal underscored that protection of life and liberty is a constitutional mandate, and the State has a duty to safeguard individuals who fear harm from family or society due to their personal choices.
Decision: The Court disposed of the petition with directions to respondent No.2 (SSP Amritsar) to consider the representation dated 14.10.2025 and to take appropriate protective action in accordance with law after assessing threat perception. It clarified that this protection order does not prevent the State or any aggrieved person from initiating legal proceedings against the petitioners if any cause of action arises from their conduct or relationship.