In a significant judgment acknowledging changing social norms, the Supreme Court has ruled that women involved in long-term live-in relationships that closely resemble marriage can invoke the protection available under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), even if there is no legally valid marriage between the partners.

The court, however, made it clear that this interpretation applies only to proceedings under Section 498A, which deals with cruelty against women in domestic relationships, and should not automatically be extended to other criminal or civil laws.

The bench observed that Section 498A was introduced as a welfare-oriented provision aimed at protecting women from physical and mental abuse within a household. According to the court, limiting the law's protection only to formally married women would undermine its core objective.

The judges noted that social structures have evolved over time and that long-term live-in relationships have become increasingly common, especially in urban areas. The absence of a marriage certificate, the court said, should not deprive a woman of legal safeguards if she is subjected to cruelty in a domestic setting.

The ruling emphasised that the protection would be available only in relationships that are genuinely "in the nature of marriage". Such arrangements must involve two consenting adults living together in a stable domestic partnership with an intention similar to that of marriage.

The court clarified that casual relationships or short-term romantic associations would not qualify for protection under the expanded interpretation of Section 498A.

Importantly, the bench stated that the responsibility of proving that a live-in relationship possessed the characteristics of a marriage-like arrangement would rest with the woman seeking legal relief.

Highlighting the purpose of the provision, the court observed that abuse and harassment do not discriminate based on marital status. It noted that cruelty within a shared household can be equally damaging regardless of whether the couple is legally married.

At the same time, the Supreme Court stressed that its ruling should not be viewed as a precedent for interpreting other statutes in a similar manner. The expanded reading, it said, remains confined to Section 498A alone.

The judgment marks a significant development in India's legal approach to domestic relationships, recognising evolving family structures while ensuring that women in genuine marriage-like partnerships are not left without protection against cruelty.