INDRA SARMA vs V.K.V.SARMA

The Supreme Court ruled that a live-in relationship can be classified as a 'relationship in the nature of marriage' under Section 2(f) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, thereby qualifying for protection against domestic violence as defined in Section 3 of the Act. The Court emphasized that the disruption of such a relationship due to failure to maintain the woman involved constitutes domestic violence. The appeal was allowed, affirming the applicability of the DV Act to live-in relationships.