CHANDIGARH: The Punjab-Haryana High Court held that living with another woman without divorcing the wife cannot be considered as a live-in relationship. The High Court ruled that this is an offence under the law. The court made the observation when a man and woman, who were living in a live-in relationship, had approached the court for protection of their lives and property.

They approached the court stating that there was a threat of death from the woman's family, but the court rejected their petition. Justice Kuldeep Tiwari said that living with another woman without divorcing the wife is an offence punishable under Sections 494/495 IPC. The court pointed out that such relationships cannot be considered as live-in relationships or even relationships. The court said that there is ambiguity in what the petitioners have said and the petitioners have not been able to provide any information to prove that there is any threat to life.

The petitioner is married and has two children. He is separated from his wife due to marital problems. The woman is unmarried.