Uttarakhand introduces mandatory registration for live-in relationships under Uniform Civil Code
Uniform Civil Code: The implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand will require individuals involved in or considering live-in relationships to register with district officials. Once the law is enacted, those below the age of 21 will need parental consent for live-in arrangements. The mandatory registration also applies to individuals residing in Uttarakhand, but engaging in live-in relationships outside the state.
However, certain conditions will render live-in relationships ineligible for registration, including cases deemed "against public policy and morality," involvement with a married or committed partner, a minor's participation, or consent obtained through coercion, fraud, or misrepresentation of identity. To streamline the registration process, a dedicated website is being prepared to collect live-in relationship details. The District Registrar will conduct a "summary inquiry" to validate the relationship, summoning partners or others if necessary. If registration is declined, the Registrar must provide written reasons for the refusal.
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Terminating registered live-in relationships requires a prescribed written statement, subject to police investigation if deemed "incorrect" or "suspicious." Parents or guardians of individuals under 21 will also be notified. Failure to submit declarations or providing false information may result in imprisonment for three months, a Rs 25,000 fine, or both. Failing to register a live-in relationship could lead to a maximum of six months in jail, a Rs 25,000 fine, or both. Even a one-month delay in registration may result in three months' imprisonment, a Rs 10,000 fine, or both.
The proposed Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand also ensures legal recognition for children born out of live-in relationships, granting them legitimacy as "a legitimate child of the couple." All children will have equal inheritance rights, as the code refers to "child" rather than specifying gender. The draft also outlines maintenance claims for women "deserted by her live-in partner," although the definition of "desertion" remains unspecified.
The Uniform Civil Code, presented in the Uttarakhand Assembly on Tuesday , reflects proposals from a state-appointed panel led by a retired Supreme Court judge. Key provisions include a ban on polygamy and child marriage, a standardised marriageable age for girls across faiths, and a uniform divorce process. The code also seeks to prohibit practices like 'halala' and 'iddat.' Other BJP-ruled states, such as Assam, are also considering similar uniform civil codes, with exemptions for tribal communities.
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