Nirmaljeet Kaur And Another vs State Of Punjab And Others

Gurvinder Singh Gill, J

The petitioners seek issuance of a direction to the official respondents to protect their lives and liberty as they apprehend threat to the same at the hands of private respondents, having married against the wishes of their families.

Notice of motion.

At this stage, Mr. Lal Singh Sandhu, Advocate, has today put in appearance on behalf of respondent No.5 (who is mother of petitioner No.1-Nirmaljeet Kaur) and filed vakalatnama. The same is taken on record.

Learned counsel for respondent No.5 has submitted that respondent No.5 or any other member of her family do not intend to cause any harm to the petitioners. He has assured that the family will not take law into their hands, under any circumstances. He has however, submitted that the family of petitioner No.1-Nirmaljeet Kaur may be permitted to meet petitioner No.1.

Without commenting as regards the veracity of the averments made in the petition and also as regards the validity of alleged marriage of the petitioners, the petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.2-Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna District Ludhiana, to look into the matter and to dispose off the representation dated 03.03.2023 (Annexure P-5) in accordance with law. In case, it is found that there is a genuine threat to the lives and liberty of the petitioners, then necessary steps warranted under law be taken thereupon at the earliest so as to ensure that no harm is caused to the petitioners.

A copy of this order alongwith copy of the representation dated 03.03.2023 (Annexure P-5) be sent to respondent No.2-Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna District Ludhiana, so as to enable him to do the needful expeditiously.

It is, however, clarified that the aforesaid order shall not be taken to be any expression as regards the validity of marriage of the petitioners and shall not confer any immunity upon the petitioners, in case it is found that they have committed any wrong.

Petitioner No.1-Nirmaljeet Kaur is however, directed to appear before Secretary, DLSA, Ludhiana on 14.3.2023 at 10 am. The Secretary, DLSA, Ludhiana, shall coordinate a meeting between petitioner No.1 and other members of her family including respondent No.5, subject to maximum of 5 members of the family.

A copy of this order be sent to Secretary, DLSA, Ludhiana so as to enable him to do the needful.