Maninder Kaur and Another vs State of Punjab and Others

S.S. Saron, J.—The Petitioners on their own solemnised their marriage on 1.11.2010 at Gurudwara Sri Tibbi Sahib, Village Khuda Ali Sher, Chandigarh. The copy of the marriage certificate (Annexure P-3), issued by the Head Granthi, Gurudwara Sri Tibbi Sahib, Village Khuda Ali Sher, Chandigarh and the photographs (annexure P-4) of the marriage have been placed on record. It is stated that on account of the marriage that has been solemnised, the Petitioners apprehand danger to their life and liberty from Respondents No. 4 to 10. Respondents No. 4 and 5 are the parents of Petitioner No. 1. Respondent No. 6 is the father''s younger brother (uncle) of Petitioner No. 1. Respondent No. 7 is a cousin of Petitioner No. 1. Respondents No. 8 & 9 are the parents of Petitioner No. 2 and Respondent No. 10 is the maternal uncle of Petitioner No. 2. They are upset with the marriage as the Petitioners belong to different castes. The Petitioners also submitted an application dated 1.11.2010 (Annexure P-5) to the SSP, Ludhiana (Rural) for protecting their life and liberty. But despite the said application the threats persist.

It is submitted that both the Petitioners are major. The date of birth of Petitioner No. 1, as per her Matriculation Examination Certificate (Annexure P-1), issued by the Punjab School Educational Board, is 25.11.1989 and that of Petitioner No. 2, as per his Matriculation Examination Certificate (Annexure P-2), issued by the above said Board, is 27.12.1984. The averments made in the petition are supported by affidavit of Petitioner No. 1.

Both the Petitioners are present in court and are identified by their Counsel. It is stated by them that they are major and have solemnized their marriage amongst themselves with their own free will and desire and without any kind of pressure or undue influence of anyone.

Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, the criminal miscellaneous petition is disposed of with a direction to Respondents No. 2 and 3 that in case the Petitioners approach any of them setting out their grievances as have been made in the present petition, the same would be looked into by them independently and in accordance with law.