The Andhra Pradesh High Court upheld the right of a lesbian couple to live together, affirming their freedom to choose their partners and make independent decisions. The decision was made by a bench comprising Justices R Raghunandan Rao and K Maheswara Rao. The bench was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by a woman, Kavitha (name changed), who alleged that her partner Lalitha (name changed) was unlawfully detained by her father at his residence in Narsipatnam.

The court, in its ruling on Tuesday, directed Lalitha’s parents not to interfere with the couple’s relationship, asserting that their daughter was a legal adult capable of making her own choices. The couple, who have been living together in Vijayawada for the past year, were separated after Lalitha’s father forcibly took her away and kept her in his custody.

The matter first came to light when Kavitha filed a missing complaint. Police traced Lalitha to her father’s home and rescued her, placing her in a welfare home for 15 days despite her insistence that she wished to live with her partner. Lalitha later lodged a complaint against her father in September, alleging harassment over her relationship and other issues. She returned to Vijayawada after police intervention but was again forcibly taken by her father, prompting Kavitha to file the habeas corpus petition.

In her defence, Lalitha’s father filed a counter-complaint, alleging that his daughter had been abducted by Kavitha and her family. However, Kavitha’s counsel, Jada Sravan Kumar, presented evidence, citing Supreme Court judgments, to argue that Lalitha had unequivocally expressed her desire to live with Kavitha and had no intention of returning to her parents.

Lalitha was produced before the High Court by Vijayawada police on Tuesday, following the court’s direction. She reiterated her wish to live with her partner and requested the withdrawal of her complaint against her parents. Taking note of her statement, the bench observed that no criminal proceedings should be initiated against her family members, as she willingly sought to withdraw her complaint.