Allahabad High Court orders police protection for interfaith lesbian couple

On September 14, Justice Gautam Chowdhary of the Allahabad High Court directed the Uttar Pradesh Police to provide security for a Hindu-Muslim lesbian couple whose families had threatened their live-in arrangement. The court emphasized that both individuals are adults entitled to live together peacefully, regardless of religious differences. Their lawyer highlighted the imminent danger posed by family members, noting the couple's unmarried status.

While the state government argued that such relationships clash with traditional societal values, the judge referenced the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling that decriminalised consensual same-sex relations and affirmed the right of adults to choose their partners. The order underscores that lack of marital recognition does not permit violations of personal dignity or safety. Police protection was ordered to ensure the couple's physical security.