A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court demanding compulsory registration for the protection of live-in couples

An advocate name Mamata Rani filed a petition a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) or seeking rules and regulations regarding "live-in relationships" and demanded legal and compulsory registration by the couple practising it.

The petition by the concerned advocate stated, “Time and again this Hon’ble Court has been the protector of the live-in partners and has passed numerous number of judgments which is having the effect of giving protection to the members of the live-in partnership be it the women, men or even the children born out of such relationship”

It points “ There has been a huge increase in the false rape cases being filed by the women wherein the women claims to be living in live-in relationships with the accused and it is always difficult for the Courts to find out from the evidence whether the fact of living in live-in relationship is proved by the backing of evidence”. 

The advocate is of the opinion “Registration of live-in relationships will work as a vital evidence to prove whether the fact of live-in relationship is correct or not...Looking at the fast paced life and the choice of young generation to adopt the western culture, proper registration of live-in relationships will keep a check on those who are entering into live-in relationship with an ulterior motive." This step would also reveal the real identity, marital status and criminal history of a person thus protecting the innocent partner.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud rejected it by calling it a "harebrained idea". He also said "What is this? People come with anything here. We'll start imposing costs on such cases. Registration with whom? The central government? What does the central government have to do with people in live-in relationships?" 

The petition was filed in response to the increase in criminal cases among live in couples including the Shradha Walker murder case. The Central Government’s fails to register live-in partnerships as it would be the violation of Article 19 and Article 21 of Constitution.