The Uttarakhand High Court recently convened to deliberate on a petition contesting the constitutionality of the mandatory registration of live-in relationships under the recently implemented Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.
A division bench, consisting of Chief Justice Guhanathan Narendar and Justice Ashish Naithani, consolidated this petition with a series of related cases, scheduling further hearings on April 1.
The petitioners, a couple from Maharashtra and Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, argue that the provision imposing compulsory registration of live-in relationships infringes upon fundamental constitutional rights.
Senior Supreme Court advocate Raju Ramachandran, representing the petitioners, emphasized that the registration process mandates the disclosure of extensive personal information, thereby constituting an unwarranted intrusion into individual privacy. He contended that such governmental imposition lacks legal justification and contravenes the constitutional right to privacy.
Additionally, the petitioners’ counsel highlighted an implicit “bias” in the registration requirements, pointing out that comparable levels of personal disclosure are not necessitated for marriage registration.
Appearing via video conference, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta articulated the positions of both the state and Central governments regarding the matter.
Earlier this month, while adjudicating similar petitions challenging the UCC, the division bench instructed both governments to submit formal responses within a six-week timeframe.
This case underscores critical constitutional concerns regarding privacy rights, governmental overreach, and the differential treatment of personal relationships within the evolving legal framework of the UCC.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
