Leander Paes Domestic Violence Case: Here’s what court says about live-in relationships and woman rights
"The consensual sexual relationship between married individuals out of their marriage is not prohibited, except a few exceptions…"
New Delhi: A magistrate court in Mumbai has held in its order that ace tennis player Leander Paes committed various acts of domestic violence against his former live-in partner Rhea Pillai.
Metropolitan magistrate Komalsing Rajput further directed Paes to provide a monthly rent of Rs 50,000, as well as monthly maintenance of Rs 1 lakh to Pillai if she wish to leave their shared residence.
Pillai had approached the court in the year 2014, claiming that “Paes, through his acts and conduct ’caused verbal, emotional and economic abuse’, which resulted in tremendous emotional violence and trauma”.
Meanwhile, shedding some light on the challenges of woman rights in a live-in partnership, the court said, “The consensual sexual relationship between married individuals out of their relationship of marriage is not prohibited, except a few exceptions…Merely because socially such a practice is unacceptable the Applicant can not be deprived of her rights”.
“Law must maintain its pace with the requirements of changing patterns and changing norms of society. Such a change must be in tune with constitutional norms i.e. constitutional morality. It should not be governed by rigid societal standards incompatible with human rights and justice”, the court further added.
However, if Pillai chooses to move out of their shared residence, she will be entitled to receive a monthly rent of Rs 50,000, as well as monthly maintenance of Rs 1 lakh from Leander Paes.
The magistrate also said, “Paes’ career in tennis ‘almost over’, hence it would cause ‘serious prejudice’ to order him to live in a rented home while also paying maintenance to Pillai”.
The couple has reportedly been in a live-in relationship for about 8 years.