DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN LIVE - IN RELATIONSHIP: A JUDICIAL DISCOURSE

Live – in relationships are increasing worldwide. Other countries are legally more comfortable with live – in relationships but India is facing many challenges in accepting live – in relationships. Earlier women in live – in relationships were not getting the protection as well as the status of a wife but the PWDV Act of 2005 provided protection to women who are in relationships ‘in nature of marriage’ based on some conditions. Domestic violence is also seen in live – in relationships nowadays and cases of domestic violence remain unnoticed and unreported due to lack of knowledge of the rights woman have. The Judiciary tries to give the decisions in favour of live – in relationships and due to judicial decision live – in relationships have been legalised in India. This article talks about legality of live - in relationships, protection and rights provided to women in live – in relationships, domestic violence in live – in relationships and judicial decisions in support of live – in relationships.