‘Those affected by, facing action under Uniform Civil Code can approach us,’ says Uttarakhand HC

The Uttarakhand High Court on Friday said that persons affected by the state’s Uniform Civil Code or facing related action from the authorities would be given a hearing if they approached the court, Live Law reported.

The bench of Chief Justice G Narender and Justice Alok Mahra was hearing petitions challenging the 2024 Uniform Civil Code Act. “If any individual is affected, they may approach this bench…If any action, please come [to us],” the bench said.

The Uniform Civil Code came into effect in Uttarakhand on January 27.

The code is a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and adoption for all citizens. Currently, such personal affairs of different religious and tribal groups are based on community-specific laws, largely derived from religious scripture.

The law in Uttarakhand mandates that all natives must register their live-in relationships, whether in or outside the state. Failure to do so could result in imprisonment of up to three months and a fine of up to Rs 10,000.

It has been claimed that registering such relationships will protect the rights of women and children. However, family and women’s rights lawyers have suggested that the current legal framework has safeguards to protect their rights.

At the hearing on Friday, advocate Kapil Sibal, representing petitioner Muammed Muqeem, urged the bench to set a date…

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