Madhya Pradesh Proposes Mandatory Live-In Relationship Registration

A high-level committee in Madhya Pradesh has submitted the final draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to the state government. The draft, based on the Gujarat model, includes key recommendations such as mandatory registration of live-in relationships and shared property rights for parents.

The committee, constituted to examine the feasibility of implementing the UCC, submitted the final draft on Monday evening. The draft proposes that registration of live-in relationships be made mandatory, and if a live-in relationship is not registered, it will be considered a crime.

One of the major recommendations relates to succession law, under which both parents will be entitled to a share in the property of a deceased child. Currently, only the mother is considered eligible for a share in a deceased son's property. The proposal aims to address situations where fathers receive nothing in old age following the death of a son.

The UCC final draft has been prepared in three parts, including the committee's recommendations, the UCC Bill, and public opinion collected through consultations and suggestions received through the website. Under the proposed registration of live-in relationships, one copy of the registration will go to the concerned police station and another to the parents.

Children born out of a live-in relationship will be entitled to a share in their parents' property even if the partners separate. If a partner deserts the woman in a live-in relationship, she may seek maintenance from the partner. Without registration, a live-in relationship will be considered a crime.

The UCC Bill is expected to be tabled during the Assembly session beginning on July 20. After its passage in the Assembly, it will be sent to the President for assent. The state government will then frame the rules under the new law. Madhya Pradesh will become the fourth state to implement the UCC after Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam.

The key features of the UCC draft include mandatory registration of live-in relationships, unregistered live-in relationships being treated as an offence, and both mother and father getting a share in a deceased child's property. Children born from live-in relationships will have equal inheritance rights, and women deserted in a live-in relationship will be entitled to claim maintenance.

The UCC draft also covers provisions related to marriage, divorce, maintenance, and property rights of adopted children. The implementation of the UCC is expected to bring about significant changes in the state's civil laws.

The move to implement the UCC in Madhya Pradesh is seen as a major step towards uniformity in civil laws across the state. The UCC aims to provide a common set of laws for all citizens, regardless of their religion or community. The implementation of the UCC is expected to have far-reaching implications for the state's legal system and society as a whole.

In conclusion, the submission of the UCC draft in Madhya Pradesh marks a significant milestone in the state's journey towards uniformity in civil laws. The proposed changes aim to bring about greater equality and justice in the state's legal system, and their implementation is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of citizens in Madhya Pradesh.