The Punjab & Haryana High Court has recently taken a stern stance against frivolous pleas for police protection by imposing a cost of Rs. 10,000 on a live-in couple who filed a petition without any perceived threat to their safety and liberty.
Justice Alok Jain, during an earlier hearing, had clearly communicated that if the State found no credible threat to the petitioners, they would be held liable to pay a cost of Rs. 50,000. In the absence of a substantiated threat, the Court issued the following order:
"It was made clear on the very first date that, in case, it is found that there is no threat perception to the petitioners, the petitioners will be burdened with the cost of at least Rs. 50,000/-. However, today learned counsel for the petitioners prays for the withdrawal of the present petition and also for reduction of cost. Accordingly, the present petition stands dismissed, subject to payment of the cost of Rs. 10,000/- to be deposited by the petitioners jointly within one month from today..."
The petitioners, a married woman and an unmarried individual in a live-in relationship had submitted a plea for protection, claiming a life-threatening situation. However, the Court found their story unconvincing and noted discrepancies in their account. The couple had executed a "live-in relationship deed" in Rajasthan, where the woman's matrimonial home was located, on the same day she had alleged threats from her family. The Court questioned why she had returned to Rajasthan to formalize the live-in relationship if she had fled her matrimonial home a week prior.
Justice Jain observed, "It is a strange thing that if in case petitioner No. 1 had run away from the matrimonial home a week ago, then why did she go back to Rajasthan to execute the relationship deed."
After examining the matter, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Hisar, reported that there was no perceived threat to the couple. The Court allowed the petitioners to withdraw their plea but imposed a cost of Rs. 10,000 to be paid to the High Court Bar Association Lawyer's Family Welfare Fund.
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