The Madhya Pradesh government has taken a significant step towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Thursday, with the draft legislation now almost complete and expected to be introduced during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the State Assembly.
The proposed law seeks to establish a common legal framework governing live-in relationships, marriage and inheritance, while introducing several new provisions aimed at standardising civil laws across the state.
Among the most notable proposals is the mandatory registration of live-in relationships, making Madhya Pradesh one of the few states to formally regulate such partnerships through legislation.
Mandatory registration and legal exit process for live-in couples
As outlined in the draft, couples about to enter into a live-in relationship will be required to register their partnership with the district Registrar's office. Both persons must be adults, and age-related documents may have to be submitted as part of the registration process.
The proposed legislation also lays down a formal legal procedure for ending a registered live-in relationship. If either partner wishes to terminate the arrangement, an application can be submitted to cancel the registration.
In cases where one partner seeks cancellation, the other partner will have the legal right to challenge the decision before a court.
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The draft further stipulates that if a person in a registered live-in relationship intends to marry someone else, they must first legally cancel the existing live-in registration before proceeding with the marriage.
Inheritance provisions simplified
The government has also substantially streamlined the inheritance provisions in the proposed UCC.
Officials involved in the drafting process have reduced the number of inheritance-related rules from nearly 100 provisions to around 30, with the objective of making the law simpler, more accessible and easier for the public to understand.
If enacted in its present form, Madhya Pradesh's proposed UCC is expected to be more concise than the Uniform Civil Code laws already implemented in Uttarakhand and Gujarat.
Tribal communities kept outside the law's ambit
The draft excludes tribal, nomadic and semi-nomadic communities from the proposed legislation. According to the government, the exemption has been provided in view of the distinct social customs, traditions and cultural practices followed by these communities.
Action proposed against married persons in live-in relationships
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The proposed legislation also addresses situations involving married individuals. Under the draft, if a person who is already legally married enters into a live-in relationship with another individual, action may be initiated against them under the existing criminal laws applicable in such cases.
The provision is intended to ensure that the proposed civil law does not override or conflict with existing criminal statutes.