Pooja vs State Of Rajasthan ...
2023 Latest Caselaw 5952 Raj

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HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 11759/2023

1. Pooja D/o Ishwar Singh, Aged About 27 Years, Rz-33, X 1-Block, New Roshanpura, Najafgarh, South West Delhi, At Present Residing At Near Ghoushala, 6 Ntr, Village Nethrana, District Hanumangarh.

2. Vikram S/o Dharmpal, Aged About 25 Years, Near Ghoushala, 6 Ntr, Village Nethrana, District Hanumangarh.

----Petitioners Versus

1. State Of Rajasthan, Through The Secretary, Department Of Home Affairs, Govt. Of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

2. Superintendent Of Police, District Hanumangarh.

3. Station House Officer (Sho) Of Bhadra Police Station, District Hanumangarh.

4. Ishwar Singh S/o Ramlal, Aged About 50 Years, Rz-33, X 1-Block, New Roshanpura, Najafgarh, South West Delhi.

5. Rohit S/o Ishwar Singh, Aged About 23 Years, Rz-33, X 1-

Block, New Roshanpura, Najafgarh, South West Delhi.

6. Deepak S/o Mahipal, Aged About 29 Years, Village Khiyala, New Delhi.

                                                                       ----Respondents


For Petitioner(s)                :    Mr. Kuldeep Chopra

HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE PUSHPENDRA SINGH BHATI

Order

17/08/2023

1. This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of

India has been preferred for issuance of necessary directions to

the official respondents to provide adequate security and

protection to the petitioners on the ground that they are facing

grave threat of life and liberty at the hands of private

respondents.

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2. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that Article 21 of

the Constitution of India provides for right to life and personal

liberty under the ambit of fundamental rights and any threat to

the same amounts to violation of the same.

3. Heard learned counsel for the parties as well as perused the

record of the case.

4. While keeping in mind a catena of precedent laws laid down

by the Hon'ble Apex Court, this Court has made the following

observations in its judgment rendered in the case of Leela & Anr.

Vs. State of Rajasthan & Ors. (S.B. Criminal Misc. Petition No.

5045/2021, decided on 15.09.2021):-

"30. It is sufficiently clear to this Court that the Hon'ble Apex Court's standpoint is that there exists a duty of the State to protect and safeguard all fundamental rights, unless taken away by due process of law. Even if any illegality or wrongfulness has been committed, the duty to punish vests solely with the State, that too in attune with due process of law. In no circumstance can the State bypass due process, permit or condone any acts of moral policing or mob mentality. When the Right to life and liberty is even guaranteed to convicted criminals of serious offences, there can be no reasonable nexus to not grant the same protection to those in an "legal/illegal relationships".

31. Had there been a question before this Court with regards the morality/ legality of live- in relationships and matters connected thereto, then perhaps the answer would have required more deliberation along those lines. However, in the context of the limited question this Court is posed with pertaining to the application of Article 21 of the Constitution of India and it is clear that the right to claim protection under this Article is a constitutional mandate upon the State and can be availed by all persons alike. There arises no question of this right to be waived off even if the person seeking protection is guilty of an immoral, unlawful or illegal act, as per the precedent law cited of the

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Hon'ble Apex Court. However, in this case, this Court does not wish to delve into the sanctity of relationships.

32. This Court finds itself firmly tied down to the principle of individual autonomy, which cannot be hampered by societal expectations in a vibrant democracy. The State's respect for the individual independent choices has to be held high.

33. This Court fully values the principle that at all junctures constitutional morality has to have an overriding impact upon societal morality.

This Court cannot sit back and watch the transgression or dereliction in the sphere of fundamental rights, which are basic human rights.

The public morality cannot be allowed to overshadow the constitutional morality, particularly when the legal tenability of the right to protection is paramount.

34. This Court is duty bound to act as a protector of the rights of the individuals, which are under siege with the clear intention of obstructing the vision of Constitution."

5. This Court thus, disposes of the present petition with the

direction to the petitioners to appear before the Station House

Officer, Police Station Bhadra, District Hanumangarh alongwith

appropriate representation regarding their grievance. The Station

House Officer, Police Station Bhadra, District Hanumangarh shall in

turn hear the grievance of the petitioners, and after analyzing the

threat perceptions, if necessitated, may pass necessary orders to

provide adequate security and protection to the petitioners.

6. It is made clear that any observation in this order shall not

affect any criminal and civil proceedings initiated against the

petitioners. All pending applications also stand disposed of.

(DR.PUSHPENDRA SINGH BHATI),J 246-Zeeshan

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