Uttarakhand UCC Bill Mandates Registration of Live-in Relationships or Face Jail Term

The Uttarakhand government has introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the state Assembly, as per the recommendations of a government-appointed panel led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. The UCC bill covers various issues, including live-in relationships.

Following the judiciary’s rulings on live-in relationships, the Uttarakhand government has decided to make it mandatory for all live-in relationships to be registered in the state. The bill also states that residents of Uttarakhand in live-in relationships outside the state must submit a statement to the Registrar in their jurisdiction.

According to Section 378 of the UCC bill, partners in a live-in relationship within Uttarakhand, regardless of their residency, must submit a statement of registration to the Registrar. The bill further clarifies that children born out of live-in relationships will be considered legitimate children of the couple.

The UCC bill in Uttarakhand proposes safeguards for live-in couples, stating that the Registrar must ensure that the partners do not fall within the degree of prohibited relationships. Additionally, at least one of the partners should not be married or in another live-in relationship. The consent for the live-in relationship should not be obtained through force, coercion, undue influence, misrepresentation, or fraud.

In cases where either partner is under 21 years old, the Registrar must inform their parents or guardian about the registration or termination of the live-in relationship. Failure to register the live-in relationship within one month can result in punishment, including imprisonment ranging from 3 to 6 months or a fine of up to ₹25,000.

The UCC bill also goes a step further by providing female live-in partners with the rights of marriage. If a woman is deserted by her live-in partner, she is entitled to claim maintenance from her partner by approaching the competent Court having jurisdiction.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered the Budget speech recently, providing comprehensive updates on various sectors.