sbet Andhra Pradesh HC Says Lesbian Couple Have Right To Live Together, Parents Can’t Interfere

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The Andhra Pradesh High Court has made a landmark ruling in favor of a lesbian couple's right to live togethersbet, reaffirming their freedom to choose their partners and make independent decisions about their relationships. The Court on Tuesday directed the parents of the plaintiff not to interfere with the relationship of the couple, asserting that their daughter is a major and can make her own decisions.

The bench, comprising Justices R. Raghunandan Rao and K. Maheswara Rao, delivered the judgment on Tuesday after hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by one of the women, Kavitha (name changed).

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Kavitha had alleged that her partner, Lalitha (name changed), was detained and confined against her will by her father at his residence in Narsipatnam. The court's intervention has now allowed the couple to continue their life together, stating that Lalitha, being a major, has the right to make decisions about her own life, including her choice of partner.

The couple, who has been living together in Vijayawada for the past year, had previously sought the help of the police. Following a missing person complaint filed by Kavitha, the police traced Lalitha to her father’s home and rescued her. Despite pleading to be allowed to live with her partner, Lalitha was temporarily placed in a welfare home for 15 days.

Lalitha had also filed a complaint in September against her parents, accusing them of harassment over her relationship with Kavitha.  After the police intervention, Lalitha came back to Vijayawada and started going to work, often meeting her partner.

However, her father once again forcibly took her back from Vijayawada, claiming that she had been abducted by Kavitha and her family members. He kept her in his custody “unlawfully”, Kavitha alleged in her habeas corpus petition.

The father also lodged a complaint with police alleging that his daughter was abducted by Kavitha and her family members.

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Jada Sravan Kumar, counsel for Kavitha, cited earlier Supreme Court rulings on individual freedoms and argued that Lalitha had expressed a clear and unequivocal desire to live with Kavitha. The counsel also noted that Lalitha was willing to withdraw her complaint against her parents, provided she was allowed to continue her relationship with Kavitha.

Following the court’s order, the Vijayawada police produced Lalitha before the High Court, where she reiterated her wish to live with her partner. 

In its ruling, the bench directed Lalitha’s parents not to interfere in the relationship, stating that no criminal proceedings should be initiated against her family members, as Lalitha had expressed her intent to withdraw the complaint against them.

This ruling is being hailed as a significant step in recognizing the rights of individuals in same-sex relationshipssbet, emphasizing personal autonomy and the right to choose one’s partner without interference from family or societal pressures. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of legal protections for marginalized communities in the country.