Madurai, Jan. 21 -- The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled that women in live-in relationships should be granted the status of "wife" to ensure their protection, citing the ancient concept of Gandharva marriage.

This landmark decision came while dismissing a petition for anticipatory bail filed by a man accused of having a sexual relationship with a woman under false promises of marriage.

Justice S Srimathy emphasised that courts have a duty to safeguard vulnerable women in modern relationships, as live-in relationships lack the legal protections afforded to married women.

Srimathy made these observations while dismissing a petition seeking anticipatory bail filed by a man who was apprehended by the Manapparai All Women P...