The Supreme Court has upheld that long cohabitation i.e. the couple who live together as husband and wife are legally married and woman can claim maintenance under Section 125 of CrPC.

• Man who lived with woman for long time and even though they may not have undergone legal necessities of valid marriage is liable to pay the woman maintenance if he deserts her.
• In this case, man should not be allowed to benefit from legal loopholes by enjoying advantages of de facto marriage without undertaking duties and obligations.
• Any other interpretation in this case will lead woman to vagrancy and destitution, which provision of maintenance in Section 125 of CrPC is meant to prevent.