PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad HC recently ruled that no one, not even parents, could interfere with two consenting adults' right to marry or live together.

Disposing of a petition filed by an inter-faith couple, the HC directed in his September 5 order that in case their "peaceful living" was disturbed, they must approach the police, and immediate protection must be provided to them.In their writ petition, a Muslim girl and her Hindu live-in partner had sought a direction to restrain their family from interfering in their life.

They had sought police protection.The state counsel said both the petitioners belong to different religions, and a live-in relationship was punishable under Muslim personal law.

The counsel cited an earlier order by the HC's Lucknow bench, saying it had refused protection to live-in couples.

But the HC said the denial was limited to that particular case, and that there was no blanket order.