The story so far: In Dr Lokesh B.H. & Ors v. State of Karnataka & Anr, decided on August 3, 2026, the Supreme Court considered whether Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) could apply to a man in a live-in relationship and whether the expression “husband” under the section is confined to a legally valid marriage.

The appellant argued that since he and the complainant were never validly married, Section 498A could not apply to him. The Karnataka High Court had rejected this argument and refused to quash the criminal proceedings against him. He appealed to the Supreme Court.