Couple in Silchar Sparks Controversy for Living Together Without Divorce; Civil Society Raises Moral Alarm over Adultery

A controversy has erupted in Silchar’s Das Colony after a couple, allegedly in a live-in relationship while still legally married to different spouses, came under public scrutiny and police radar. The duo, identified as Asmita Biswas and Sourab Deb, are being accused of misleading their landlord by posing as a married couple while living together with Asmita’s two children in a rented house. This brings the question of “legality versus morality” into light again.

The issue gained public attention after local NGO Desire for Life, along with concerned citizens, lodged a formal complaint at Rangirkhari Police Outpost demanding action.

Asmita’s husband, Rajesh Biswas, claimed the two have been living together for the past four months, which began shortly after she filed a domestic abuse FIR against him earlier in February. He alleged that the FIR was influenced by Sourab Deb, a member of the AGP’s Cachar district committee, who motivated her to part ways from her family under the pretext of political interference. Back then, Asmita had claimed that Rajesh Biswas had physically assaulted her as he was opposed to her idea of contesting for the upcoming municipal election. This claim was then refuted by the Biswas family of Rongpur-Angarjur.

Rajesh, speaking to the media, said, “We were married for 12 years and had no problems. But everything changed after Sourab came into her life. I have not seen my children for months. I am mentally and physically broken.”

He further alleged that Deb has a history of failed marriages and even accused him of running a prostitution racket in Silchar—an accusation yet to be verified by police.

Asmita Biswas and Sourb Deb said that they were in love and there is “nothing wrong with being in love or staying together”. Asmita reiterated that she will file for divorce soon. Sourab Deb said that they were like brothers and sisters before, and then they became friends, and now they are in love. He also said that it is better to love more than one person openly than to continue such relationships in secrecy. He also said that his wife had left him, and he too will file for divorce soon, just like Asmita. Asmita added that she plans to file for divorce soon and wishes to live freely with her children and partner, Sourab Deb.

Geeta Pandey of Desire for Life expressed concern, saying, “Such relationships may not be illegal now, but they are damaging the social fabric. Without filing for divorce, how can one start a new family? Rajesh has been kept away from his children for months.”

Legally, adultery is no longer a criminal offence in India following the landmark Joseph Shine vs. Union of India judgment in 2018, which struck down Section 497 of the IPC. However, extramarital relationships continue to be grounds for divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act and other personal laws.

Police have confirmed receiving the complaint and said the matter is under investigation.

As the debate intensifies over legality versus morality, this case has brought to light the complex intersections between personal freedom, social norms, and the boundaries of live-in relationships in contemporary India.