The Supreme Court has asked Parliament to frame law for protection of women in a live-in relationship and children born out of it. It held that a live-in relationship is neither a crime nor a sin.

The apex court said unfortunately, there is no express statutory provision to regulate live-in relationships upon termination as these relationships are not in the nature of marriage and not recognised in law. The apex court said a legislation is required as it is the woman who invariably suffers because of the breakdown of such a relationship.

In the landmark judgement, a bench headed by Justice K S Radhakrishnan framed guidelines for bringing live-in relationships within the expression 'relationship in the nature of marriage' for protection of women from Domestic Violence Act.

The bench said that the decision to marry or not to marry is intensely personal. It further said that various countries have started recognising such a relationship.