Same-S*x Marriage in Pune: 2 Women Constables in Pimpri-Chinchwad Seek Leave for Wedding in Alandi

Two women constables from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate (PCPC) have sought leave to hold a wedding ceremony based on Vedic rituals in Alandi on August 30, drawing attention within the police department and opposition from one of their families. According to Daily City News (DCN), the two constables joined the force after the formation of the independent Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate in 2018 and have been posted together for the past three years.

The two women, who are from different parts of Maharashtra, are reportedly planning the ceremony after developing a relationship over several years, Free Press Journal reported. Their leave applications were submitted along with a printed wedding invitation, after which the development became known among police personnel. One constable is from a district in northern Maharashtra, while the other is from a village near the Pune district border.

2 Women Constables Plan Same-Sex Marriage Ceremony in Pune

Two women police constables in Maharashtra’s Pimpri-Chinchwad plan a Vedic wedding ceremony in Alandi on August 30. Their leave applications came with a wedding invitation, while one family has opposed the relationship. Same-sex marriage has no statutory recognition in India. pic.twitter.com/CRcsroFQwF

— Varad Bhatkhande | Journalist (@VaradBhatkhande) August 24, 2026

How The Relationship Developed

After completing their police training, both constables were posted at the police headquarters along with other recruits. They initially shared accommodation with two other women constables.

The two were later transferred to the same police station in Pimpri-Chinchwad. They continued living together after their other flatmates moved out. Over time, their relationship became known to some people in their circles.

Family Seeks Police Intervention

The relationship eventually came to the attention of the family of one of the constables. Family members opposed the relationship as well as the proposed wedding ceremony.

They had earlier visited the police station and questioned staff about the two women. Senior officers then advised police personnel not to discuss the matter, saying it was a private issue.

With the wedding date approaching, the family also approached a senior officer at the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate and sought intervention.

The officer reportedly told them that the police department could not stop two consenting adults from maintaining a relationship or holding a private ceremony. The department could provide counselling assistance if required.

Same-S*x Marriage Has No Statutory Recognition

The proposed ceremony comes amid the continuing legal debate over same-s*x marriage in India.

Consensual same-s*x relationships between adults are legal in India. However, same-s*x marriage does not have statutory recognition under the country's existing marriage laws.

In its October 2023 judgment in Supriyo @ Supriya Chakraborty & Anr. v. Union of India, the Supreme Court declined to recognise a fundamental right to marry for queer couples and held that the question of changing the legal framework falls within Parliament's domain. The court also recognised the autonomy and choice of queer persons to enter into relationships.

The proposed ceremony in Alandi can therefore be conducted as a private or religious ceremony, but the ceremony itself would not provide the couple with statutory marital status under India's existing same-s*x marriage framework.

One Constable Is Undergoing Gender Transition

The case also has a gender-transition aspect.

One of the two constables is currently undergoing gender-transition treatment. She has reportedly visited a major hospital in Mumbai two to three times for treatment.

The couple is also exploring whether their marriage could be legally registered after the gender-transition process is completed.

The legal position and applicable procedures could depend on the person's legal gender status and the marriage law under which registration is sought. The Supreme Court's 2023 judgment separately noted that transgender persons in heteros*xual relationships can marry under existing legal frameworks.

Separate Gender-Transition Case In Police Force

A separate case involving another police employee has also come to light within the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate.

The employee was transferred from Beed to the commissionerate under the inter-district transfer policy. She later underwent gender reassignment surgery after obtaining the required government approvals.

After completing the procedure, the employee requested the government to update the official service records to identify the employee as a male police officer. The application is still pending.

Authorities are examining the request, including questions linked to recruitment concessions and benefits that applied when the employee originally joined the police force as a woman.

The two cases are separate but have brought issues related to gender identity, service records and the legal status of same-s*x relationships into focus within the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate.

Legal And Administrative Questions Remain

The developments highlight the distinction between the freedom of consenting adults to form relationships and the legal recognition of marriage.

While the Supreme Court has protected the autonomy of queer persons and their right to choose their partners, it did not extend statutory marriage recognition to same-s*x couples. Any change to the existing marriage laws would therefore require legislative action.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 24, 2026 03:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).