21 Jul. 24: In an unexpected ruling, the Uttarakhand High Court has ordered police protection for an interfaith live-in couple if they register their relationship within 48 hours under the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), despite the UCC not being implemented in the state, reported the Deccan Herald.
The court’s directive came in response to a protection petition filed by a 26-year-old Hindu woman and a 21-year-old Muslim man, both seeking safety from their families. The division bench, comprising Justices Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Pankaj Purohit, stated that if the couple applies for registration under the UCC within 48 hours, the local station house officer (SHO) must provide them with security for six weeks.
This decision has surprised many, as the UCC has not been officially notified in Uttarakhand. The government advocate clarified that the junior advocate representing the state in court was unaware of this fact. As a result, a revised order will be issued to omit the UCC reference, and a recall application will be filed. In the meantime, the couple will still receive protection.
The UCC in Uttarakhand aims to regulate laws concerning marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships. According to the Act, it will be enforced once the government issues a notification in the gazette, which has not yet occurred.
The couple, fearing threats from their families, approached the high court for protection. The government counsel cited section 378(1) of the UCC, stating that live-in couples must register their relationship within a month to avoid penalties.
