The Allahabad High Court states that live-in couples are subject to the UP anti-conversion statute

PRAYAGRAJ: Allahabad High Court ruled that a couple who were married through Arya Samaj rites are now considered a “live-in couple” and directed them to follow the prescribed registration process. The ruling stated that live-in partners are subject to the provisions of UP’s 2021 anti-conversion law in the same way as legally married interfaith couples.

The petitioners, a Hindu male (23) and a Muslim lady (24), claimed that their e-application for marriage registration was still waiting and asked for protection of their “lives and liberty.”

Judge Renu Agarwal said that there was no problem with the petitioners’ connection since their families had not filed any complaints. In light of the couple’s disregard for the anti-conversion legislation, the HC rejected their appeal for protection.
The State rejected the appeal as well, claiming that they have never requested religious conversion. It contended that the Hindu Marriage Act prohibited a Muslim lady from being married to a Hindu man under Arya Samaj rites.
HC said that application for religious conversion is required under anti-conversion statute ‘in a relationship in nature of marriage’ as well as in circumstances of interfaith marriage, taking into account their position as a live-in pair. “So, it is not considered desirable that the relation of the petitioners be protected in contravention of statutory provisions of a law passed by legislature,” the judge said.