The Supreme Court has ruled that a consensual relationship between unmarried adults cannot be treated as evidence of poor character
June 9, 2026: The Supreme Court has delivered a significant judgment on personal liberty, stating that a consensual physical relationship between two unmarried adults cannot be used to judge an individual’s character. The court observed that Indian law does not prohibit consenting adults from entering into relationships of their choice and warned against attaching social stigma to such personal decisions.
A bench comprising Justices Manmohan and Manoj Misra made the observations while hearing a case involving Gajula Thirupathi, a police constable recruit from Telangana. His appointment was cancelled due to a criminal case linked to a past relationship with a neighbour. During the proceedings, the court examined broader questions about how consensual relationships are perceived by society and public authorities.
The apex court further clarified that the failure of a relationship to result in marriage cannot automatically be treated as deception or misconduct. Emphasising the importance of individual freedom and dignity, the bench said adults should not face discrimination or adverse consequences because of their private, consensual relationships. The ruling could influence future recruitment and legal decisions where personal relationships are cited as grounds for questioning a person’s integrity.