Pammi And Another vs State Of Punjab And Others

Harsimran Singh Sethi, J

The petition has been taken for hearing through video conference due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The petitioners are seeking a direction from this Court to respondents No.1 to 3 to protect their life and liberty as they apprehend danger to their life & liberty from respondents Nos.4 to 9 i.e. parents/relatives of the petitioners, who are objecting to the marriage solemnized by the petitioners. Learned counsel for the petitioners argues that it is most likely that the private respondents might cause physical harm to the petitioners as they have solemnized the marriage against the wishes of respondent Nos.4 to 9.

Learned counsel for the petitioners further argues that both the petitioners are major and have solemnized marriage according to Hindu Rites on 27.05.2020 and therefore, they want to live their independent life without any interference from the parents/relatives of petitioners i.e. respondent Nos.4 to 9. Learned counsel for the petitioners has drawn attention to the representation dated 29.05.2020 (Annexure P-5) made by the petitioners to respondent No.2-Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural), Amritsar, seeking protection to their life and liberty.

Notice of motion to respondent Nos.1 to 3 only.

Ms. Rashmi Attri, AAG, Punjab, who has joined the proceedings through video conference, keeping in view the service of advance copy of petition, accepts notice on behalf of State of Punjab-respondent Nos.1 to 3.

Without making any observation on the merits of the case, especially in respect of the validity of marriage performed by the petitioners, a direction is issued to respondent No.2 to take appropriate decision on the representation, which the petitioners alleged to have made on 29.05.2020 (Annexure P-5), expressing apprehension about danger to their life and liberty at the hands of respondents Nos.4 to 9 within a period of one month from the date of receipt of the copy of this order. In case any merit is found in the representation, the appropriate action will be taken by respondent No.2 to ensure that no harm is caused to the life and liberty of the petitioners at the hands of the private respondents.

It is clarified that this order shall not be treated as an approval of this Court about the marriage of the petitioners and no opinion with regard to the validity of the marriage has been expressed in this order.

The writ petition stands disposed of.