Reviewed case brief

D. Velusamy v D. Patchaiammal

(2010) 10 SCC 469

(2010) 10 SCC 469 · Supreme Court of India

live-in-relationshipdomestic-violence-actrelationship-in-nature-of-marriagemaintenance
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
2010
Subjects
Family Law I (Hindu Law)
Reviewed
2026-08-02

Rule established

To constitute a 'relationship in the nature of marriage' entitling a woman to maintenance under Section 125 CrPC (via the Domestic Violence Act framework), the couple must hold themselves out to society as spouses, be of legal age to marry, be otherwise qualified to marry, have voluntarily cohabited, and have lived together for a significant period.

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        (2010) 10 SCC 469; widely reported decision laying down the four-fold test, cross-verify citation before exam use

        Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.