Bombay High Court allows Hindu woman in live-in relationship with Muslim man to choose her path
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday permitted a Hindu woman, who is in a live-in relationship with a Muslim man, to make her own decisions regarding her life, despite objections from her parents who alleged coercion and undue influence.
A Bench comprising Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande refused to grant custody of the woman to her partner but acknowledged her autonomy, stating, “We are setting her on liberty...Let her do what she wants. She is of the opinion that it’s her life. We can only wish her luck.”
The Court addressed concerns raised by the woman’s parents and their counsel, who argued that she was acting under emotional sway and undue influence. Despite the Court's earlier suggestion that the woman stay with her parents for a year to reconsider her decision, she declined, expressing her clear intent to continue living independently.
The woman was moved to a government shelter home in Chembur following complaints from her parents and members of the Bajrang Dal, who opposed her relationship. The police had intervened, placing her in the Shaskriya Stree Bhishekari Khikar Kendra (Government Women’s Hostel).
Subsequently, the woman's partner filed a petition in the High Court, contending that her relocation to the shelter home violated her autonomy. The petition asserted that the woman had repeatedly affirmed her decision to live with him was voluntary, informed, and free from any external pressure or coercion.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Steel mirrors deployed in Mysuru to discourage public urination
Mysuru (PTI): Fed up with people relieving themselves along roadsides, the Mysuru City Corporation has adopted a unique strategy to curb the practice and promote civic sense by installing reflective steel mirrors along pavements, officials said on Friday.
In what officials described as a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Corporation installed stainless steel sheets with a mirror finish along an 80-metre stretch opposite the Mysuru Suburban Bus Stand.
Officials said the reflective sheets are intended to confront anyone attempting to urinate in public with their own reflection, thereby discouraging the act psychologically.
“The idea is to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, prevent public nuisance, and promote civic sense. It is a simple yet psychological approach that encourages self-awareness through reflection,” officials added.
Soon after the mirrors were installed, videos of the initiative went viral on social media, with many people appreciating the administration’s innovative attempt to address public urination. At the same time, some users pointed out the lack of basic civic sense among people.
Several social media users also suggested that more public toilets, maintained in a hygienic condition, were needed to further discourage open urination.
Explaining how the idea originated, Nitesh Patil, Administrator and Regional Commissioner of the Mysuru City Corporation, told PTI that despite a public toilet being located next to the bus stand, many people continued to urinate in the open.
Even fines and warnings failed to deter them from relieving themselves against vacant compound walls, leaving behind a foul smell.
“One of our engineers came up with this idea, and we decided to implement it. The initiative has received a very positive response from the public, social media, and the press. We are now planning to identify more such locations in the city and install similar reflectors,” he said.
According to him, to ensure that the installation is both effective and visually appealing, LED lighting that switches on along with the streetlights has also been added, causing the stretch to glow at night and enhancing the city’s appearance.
Patil said the initiative had helped create civic awareness while also beautifying the city.
“We want our city to be clean and hygienic. We aspire to become the cleanest city in the country,” he added, recalling that Mysuru secured third place nationally in the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024–25 last year.
