HC: Protect interfaith couple facing serious threat from relatives

HC: Protect interfaith couple facing serious threat from relatives

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:17.12.2021

Delhi High Court has ordered Delhi Police to protect an interfaith couple, who recently got married and claimed a serious threat from the family members.

Justice CD Singh on Wednesday issued notice to the family members of the petitioner woman and other respondents in the matter, while also making it clear that if any lapse occurs in the security/protection of the couple, the ACP of Ashok Vihar and the SHO, Keshav Puram police station, will be liable.

The cops sought time to file the status report in the matter and assured the bench that requisite protection shall be provided to the petitioners.

Advocate DK Santoshi, counsel for the petitioners, submitted that the couple had a love affair and got married at Arya Samaj Mandir, Delhi as per Hindu rites and ceremonies. He further submitted that since this is an inter-religious marriage, there are serious threats to the life and liberty of the petitioners from the family members of the woman’s side.

The plea submitted that on December 11, 2021, a family member of the girl thrashed the petitioner severely. The counsel also informed the court that the girl is educated and is 26 years old, and has also completed her graduation. The high school certificate confirms her date of birth and she is an adult who has taken the decision in sound mind. The boy is 24 years old.

As per the plea, it sought the court’s intervention to direct Delhi Police to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners from family members. According to an article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, men and women who have attained the age of majority have the right to marry “without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion”, the plea contended, arguing that the couple needs immediate protection.