Sunita Rani and another vs State of Punjab and others

Harsh Bunger, J

Petitioners have filed the instant petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India for issuance of directions to respondents No.2 and 3 to provide them the protection of life and liberty as they have married against wishes of private respondents No.4 to 8.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that petitioner No.1 – Sunita Rani, aged about 20 years and petitioner No.2 – Manjit Singh, aged about 22 years, have got married on 29.05.2024, against wishes of the family members/relatives/friends of petitioner No. 1 (Sunita Rani), arrayed as respondents No.4 to 8. It has been further submitted that private respondents are threatening and trying to interfere in the marital life of petitioners. Hence, they are seeking protection in this regard and have

approached this Court by way of filing the instant petition.

Learned counsel for the petitioners, in addition to the Anand Karaj Certificate issued by ‘Gurudwara Sangtisar Sahib Basti Nizamudin, Ferozepur City’ (Annexure P-3), which is already on record, has handed over photographs of the petitioners, in Court today, to indicate that the petitioners have married to each other. Said photographs are taken on record, subject to all just exceptions and are marked as ‘X’.

Notice of motion to respondents No.1 to 3/State only.

At the asking of Court, Mr. Kunwarbir Singh, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, who is present in the Court, accepts notice on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3/State.

In view of above, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case or the claim being made by the petitioners in representation (Annexure P-4), respondent No.2 – Senior Superintendent of Police, District Ludhiana is directed to look into representation dated 31.05.2024 (Annexure P-4) qua threat perception, if any, and take necessary steps, if any required, in accordance with law, to ensure that lives and liberties of the petitioners are not jeopardized at the hands of private respondents No.4 to 8.

However, this direction shall not be construed to validate the marriage, said to have taken place between the petitioners. This order shall also not be taken to protect the petitioners from legal action for violation of law, if any, committed by them and will have no effect on any civil or criminal action, which could be initiated in the matter in accordance with

law.

Present petition is accordingly disposed of.

All pending application(s), if any, shall also stand closed.