Madras High Court

Coimbatore

Theon Friday observed that the occupation of a hotel room by an unmarried couple will not attract a criminal offence."While live-in relationship of two adults is not deemed to be an offence, terming the occupation of a hotel room by an unmarried couple, will not attract a criminal offence," Justice MS Ramesh said adding, that being so, the extreme step of sealing the premises on the ground that an unmarried couple was occupying the premises, is totally illegal in the absence of any law prohibiting the same.The court was dealing with a petition filed by a private hospitality limited, owning a serviced apartment in, against authorities sealing the complex after an unmarried couple was found staying in a room.The judge also dismissed the contention that liquor bottles were found on the hotel room occupied by the guests. Hence, as the premises does not possess the license to serve or sell liquor inside the premises the action of sealing it was initiated.The judge said that if the hotel had not served or sold liquor but the guests had consumed liquor brought by themselves the court is unable to comprehend how the same could be considered as impermissible.The revenue officials and the police in Coimbatore on June this year sealed a serviced apartment complex after finding an unmarried couple staying in the rooms and spotting some liquor bottles in another room. The premises was sealed by the authorities without any written order.