The Uniform Civil Code Bill, which aims to govern and regulate laws relating to marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, was tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly. It is likely to be passed by the House, making Uttarakhand the first state to implement the UCC post-Independence. However, the UCC will not cover the state s Scheduled Tribes (STs). The bill includes provisions for compulsory registration of marriage and protection of the rights of children.
Live-in partners in the State will have to register their unions by giving a statement to the Registrar, who may not grant registration if the relationship flouts any of the conditions enlisted in the UCC.
UCC may take a nuanced position on coparcenary rights of male heirs in the Hindu Undivided Family system, citing equal succession rights for men and women. "Intent and aim of the report is equal rights for women at every front - from marriage to live-in relationships - in order to prevent victimisation, harassment, blackmail, crime and unfair treatment. Hence, the idea of divorce only through judicial proceedings and registration of live-in relationships," said a person in the known.
The Court made the comment while dismissing a plea by a man who claimed that his partner was being forcefully detained by her family. The Court found that the plea was only a "ploy" to defame the woman.