June 20, 2019:
Delhi High Court has observed that the right of a citizen to choose a life partner and to live in accordance with law is immutable constitutional right.
A bench of Justice Waziri has passed the Order in the case titled as BHARTI @ ALISHA vs STATE OF NCT OF DELHI on 17.06.2019.
The petitioners claim to be legal adults and have married each other of their free volition. The learned counsel for the petitioners’ has filed documents, prima facie, showing that dates of birth of the petitioners to be 25.10.1998 and 01.01.1995. They claim to be presently residing in Delhi. They entered into the contract of marriage on 10.06.2019. The matrimony does not find favour with the parents of petitioner no. 1. They apprehend grave threat to their life, limb and liberty at the hands of family members and relatives of P-1, in particular, R-3-mother of petitioner no. 1. The petitioners seek protection from the physical harm.
High Court noted "The learned counsel for the State accepts notice and assures the Court that the matter shall be looked into by the SHO of the area concerned and the respondents will be duly sensitized about the rights of the petitioners and the imperative to maintain peace, as well as to the fact that, the right of a citizen to choose a life partner and to live in accordance with law is immutable constitutional right and the same cannot be curtailed or otherwise encumbered by any individual, and that the parents or relatives cannot interfere in the exercise of such right".
High Court then issued direction to ensure safety as "Additionally, the petitioners shall be provided with telephone numbers of three police officers from the jurisdiction of the concerned Police Station of which one shall be a lady police officer. These numbers shall be kept operational at all times so that any exigency can be intimated on either of the numbers by the petitioners".
Read the Order here:
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