The Bombay High Court has received assurance from the Maharashtra police that they will provide protection, through a plainclothes constable, to a same-sex couple who has been facing threats from the family of one of the partners. The case came to the court's attention after one of the women, originally from Karnataka, was compelled by the police to return to her family following a missing person complaint. The partner of the woman was allegedly threatened with arrest if the first petitioner did not comply, resulting in the first petitioner returning home.
The petitioners, represented by advocate Vijay Hiremath, informed the court that they are above 18 years of age and in a consensual relationship. They expressed their desire to live together without interference from their parents or the police, seeking appropriate protection for the partner who had received threats.
A division bench comprising Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Gauri Godse Additional Public emphasized the need for sensitivity in such cases and directed the prosecutor to instruct the local police not to take any steps against the petitioner in connection with the missing person complaints. The court also ordered the police to refrain from disclosing the location of the petitioners.
The police assured the court that they would assign a plainclothes constable to provide protection whenever requested by the same-sex couple. Additionally, they agreed to provide the petitioners with the contact numbers of two female officers. The prosecutor assured the court that she would inform the relevant police station about the court's instructions regarding the sensitivity of the case.
Looking ahead, the couple's lawyer has submitted a proposal for draft guidelines to the court, outlining how the police should handle similar cases involving couples in conflict with their families. These guidelines will be considered during the next hearing of the case, scheduled in two weeks. The court's focus on sensitizing the police highlights the importance of supporting and protecting the rights of individuals in same-sex relationships.
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