The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which has been tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly, will make it mandatory for couples, who are already in or planning to enter a live-in relationship, to register themselves with district officials.
Besides, parental nod will also be mandatory for individuals who are below the age of 21.
The live-in relationships will not be legally valid if they are “against public policy and morality”. Similarly, if one of the partner is married or in another relationship, will also not be registered.
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The UCC also proposes a jail term of up to six months and a fine of Rs 25,000 or both for those who fail to adhere to these rules.
In case individuals are staying in a live-in relationship for over a month without registration, they would be punished with a jail term up to three months or fined Rs 10,000 or both.
Moreover, a woman can approach the court and will be entitled to claim maintenance if she has been deserted by her male live-in partner.
Under the provisions of the UCC, a child born in a live-in relationship will be declared the legitimate child of the couple.
Those in prohibited relationships such as familial connections that legally disallow individuals from marrying or engaging in sexual intercourse with each other will not be able to register themselves for live-in relationships.
Also, live-in relationships will not be registered if the consent of one of the partners was obtained by force, coercion, undue influence, misrepresentation or fraud.
Earlier today, the UCC Bill was tabled in Uttarakhand Assembly by state Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami amid chants of “Jai Shri Ram”. If passed, Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to have uniform civil laws for residents of the state.
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