Picture used for representational purpose only

JAIPUR: Following a petition filed by the live-in partner, a single bench of the Rajasthan High Court restrained one Balram Jakhar from getting married on May 7.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma remarked, "Live-in relationship in Indian society amounts to marriage and the society recognises it only as a marriage and not in any other form. Therefore, Balram cannot be allowed to enter into a second marriage as it is going to spoil the future of the petitioner."

Notices to Balram, bride-to-be

Justice Sharma further directed Balram not to marry any other person.

The court has issued notices to Balram as well as his bride-to-be. Notices were also issued to principal secretary (home) and Jhunjhunu district collector.

The petitioner, a divorcee, had submitted in the court that Balram had wrongfully and by coercion entered into a relation with her and cohabited with her on the false assurance of marriage. The petitioner had left her husband following Balram’s assurance.

“We have also submitted that Balram had forcefully entered into a sexual relationship with my client. An FIR in this regard was lodged at Sadar police station on February 6, 2018. However, on subsequent assurance made by the accused, the girl gave a statement in the court of ACJM No 16, Jaipur Metropolitan, that she does not want to take up the case for further proceedings. Thus a final (closure) report of the case was submitted in the court,” Ved Pal Shastri, counsel for the petitioner, told TOI.

The couple met in 2014 when both were working as teachers in a private school at Jhunjhunu. Shastri further informed the court that after being selected as an income tax inspector, the accused rescinded from his promise and was set to get married on May 7. The petitioner then approached the court with the prayer that Balram be restrained from entering into a second marriage.

“We have put on record hotel bills, WhatsApp chats and other documentary proof to establish the fact that both were having a live-in relationship for at least five years from 2014,” Shastri said.

