Uttarakhand registers first live-in relationship under Uniform Civil Code, five more under review

The UCC Rules make it mandatory for Uttarakhand residents to register all live-in relationships. (Representational image)

The Uttarakhand government has registered the first live-in relationship under Uniform Civil Code (UCC), just a week after the law came into effect.

Six applications had been received by Tuesday evening. One has been approved, and the remaining five are being reviewed, reported the Indian Express, quoting a senior government official.

State Home Secretary Shailesh Bagoli stated that the details of applicants are encrypted for privacy. Only the registrars handling the applications can access this information.

"The system is secure, and we have taken measures to prevent any breaches of private information," Bagoli assured.

Despite these claims by the home secretary, Bajrang Dal leader Vikas Verma claimed his organization has information about the applicants. He said they are checking for interfaith couples among the registrants and mentioned a specific case in Haridwar involving a couple from different religions.

However, Bagoli maintained that no third party can access such details.

The UCC Rules, introduced on January 27, make it mandatory to register all live-in relationships. This applies to residents of Uttarakhand, whether they live within the state or elsewhere in India.

Couples must fill out a 16-page form and provide a certificate from a religious leader confirming they are eligible to marry if they choose.

Registrations are meant for record-keeping purposes. The registrar forwards these records to local police stations where the couple resides, raising privacy concerns among civil society members.

Civil society members have flagged concerns regarding infringement of privacy.

Mallika Virdi from Mahila Manch expressed worries about women's safety and privacy under the new law. She pointed out that the Supreme Court has recognized privacy as a fundamental right.

"The UCC allows anyone, even a neighbour, to file a complaint against live-in couples. This could limit a woman's freedom to make her own choices while society imposes its views on morality," Virdi said.