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Judgment
SUDIP AHLUWALIA J. (ORAL)
Both the petitioners are present in person and identified by their counsel. They seek protection of their life and liberty by contending that both of
them having attained the age of majority, having married each other against the wishes of their respective family members respondent Nos.4 to 6,
and so seek appropriate protection from the authorities. They submitted a representation (Annexure P-4) in this regard to the Senior Superintendent
of Police, Gurdaspur and the Station House Officer, Police Station Ghuman Kalan, District Gurdaspur on 03.04.2018, but are still apprehensive about
their security in view of the apparent inaction and alleged clout of their family members-respondents.
Both of them do appear to have crossed the age of majority as seen from the copies of documents filed and have married, each other in support of
which, photographs (Annexure P-3) have been placed on record.
For the aforesaid reasons, this appears to be a fit case for this Court to invoke the inherent powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. and in view
of the mandate contained in Article 21 of the Constitution of India to protect the citizen's right to life and liberty.
Thus the the Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur and the Station House Officer, Police Station Ghuman Kalan, District Gurdaspur are
directed to consider the representation dated 03.04.2018 (Annexure P-4) and take appropriate steps to ensure that no harm is caused to the life and
liberty of the petitioners.
It is nevertheless clarified that this order is issued only on the premise that the petitioners have crossed the age of majority as seen from the
documents placed on record being their Aadhaar Cards. The petitioners have not produced on record a copy of their marriage certificate. However,
they have appended affidavits in support of their marriage and photographs (Annexure P-3). This would not ipso facto amount to granting any seal of
approval on the legality of their marriage which essentially would come in the domain of the concerned Matrimonial Courts. Further, they would not
be entitled for any protection against their arrest or continuance of any criminal proceedings, if otherwise, found to be involved in commission of any
cognizable offence(s).
The petition is disposed off with the above direction.