Noting that Radha and Krishna were unmarried co-habiting lovers, the
Indian Supreme Court expressed the view that there are no legal impediments to
unmarried couples living together.
“When two adult people want to live together, what is the offence?”
they said. “Living together is not an offence. Living together is a right to
life.”
The justices expressed the opinion during a hearing on a petition from
the Tamil actress Khushboo who is seeking dismissal of nearly 20 cases accusing
her of promoting immorality that were filed against for an interview in which
she said “no educated man would expect his [bride] to be a virgin.”
During oral arguments the justices challenged lawyers for the
complainants to produce evidence of any harm as a result of Khushboo’s remarks.
Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan demanded: “Please tell us what is the offence
and under which section should she be charged? Tell me how many people have
been affected by Kushboo’s statement?”
