India Supreme Court extends 498A to marriage‑like live‑in unions

The Supreme Court of India ruled that Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code can be invoked against a man in a live‑in relationship when the relationship is akin to marriage and the parties intended to marry. The Court emphasized that the burden of proving the intention to marry rests on the woman seeking protection.

The judgment arose from an appeal by Dr Lokesh BH challenging a Karnataka High Court order that had allowed criminal proceedings under Section 498A to continue. A two‑judge bench, Justices Sanjay Karol and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, affirmed that the provision applies to marriage‑like live‑in relationships, while clarifying that it does not extend to all cohabitation arrangements.