Andhra Pradesh High Court upholds lesbian couple’s right to live together, parents told not to 'interfere'

Andhra Pradesh High Court upholds lesbian couple's right to live together, affirming freedom to choose partners, despite family interference.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has upheld the right of a lesbian couple to live together, affirming their freedom to choose partners.

A Bench comprising Justices R. Raghunandan Rao and K. Maheswara Rao was hearing a Habeas Corpus petition filed by Ms. Kavitha, one of the women, alleging that her partner Ms. Lalitha was detained by her father against her will and kept her at his residence in Narsipatnam.

The Court on Tuesday (December 17, 2024) further directed the parents of Ms. Lalitha not to interfere with the relationship of the couple, asserting that their daughter is a major and can make her own decisions.

The couple has been "living together" for the past one year in Vijayawada.

Based on a missing complaint by Ms. Kavitha earlier, police traced Ms. Laitha at her father’s home, and rescued her. After that, she was kept at a welfare home for 15 days though she pleaded to the police that she is a major and wants to live with her partner.

Ms. Lalitha also lodged a complaint against her father in September alleging that her parents are harassing her over the relationship and other issues.

After the police intervention, Ms. Lalitha came back to Vijayawada and started going to work, often meeting her partner.