India looks out for the 'other woman'

[ensho]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JJ18Df02.html


Close on the heels of clamor to legalize homosexual relationships in India, another sensitive issue has found debate - giving legal sanctity to live-in relationships between a man and woman.

In a bold move, the Maharashtra state government recently proposed an amendment of Section 125 of the Criminal Penal Code to protect the pecuniary and other interests of the "other woman", with a change in the definition of the "wife".

The legislation describes the "other woman" as one who lives with a man for a "reasonably long period" of time.

Drawn directly from the recommendations of the Justice Mallimath Committee to the Law Commission of India in 2003, it puts the status of the "other woman" at par with the "wife", by protecting her autonomous rights.

The legislation seeks to provide security to women who enter into cohabitation with a man out of choice or may have been hoodwinked into it. The bill now awaits the approval of the federal government and the president's assent.
-interesting long snip-
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good, hope it passes