Khusboo & ANR v. The State ( Govt Of NCT Of Delhi) & ORS

$~53 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(CRL) 2108/2018 KHUSBOO & ANR.

..... Petitioners Through:

Ms. Kuldeep Kumar, Advocate.

Versus

THE STATE ( GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI) & ORS. .....Respondents Through:

Ms. Iti Pandey for Ms. Nandita Rao, Additional Standing Counsel for State with SI Brijesh Kumar, P.S. Lodhi Colony.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAJMI WAZIRI

O R D E R

% 18.07.2018 Issue notice.

The learned counsel named above accepts notice for the State. At joint request, the petition is taken up for disposal. This petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr.P.C.) seeks issuance of the Writ of Mandamus for providing necessary security to the petitioners as they apprehend threat to their life, limb and liberty from respondents No. 3 and 4, who are their relatives. The petitioners, Ms. Khushboo and Mr. Salman, claim to be legally adult and have married each other of their own free volition on 09.07.2018. In the circumstances, the Station House Officer (SHO) concerned shall look into the matter, assess the threat perception and accord them due protection for their safety and security forthwith. It is further directed that

three telephone numbers of the police officials, including one lady police officer, of the jurisdiction in which the petitioners reside shall also be furnished to the petitioners. These numbers shall be kept operational at all times so that any exigency can be intimated on either of the numbers by either petitioner.

The learned counsel for the State assures the Court that any information received from the petitioners, either through a telephone call or SMS or otherwise, would be immediately responded to. Additionally, the Beat Constable of the area shall ascertain from the petitioners on a daily basis for the next one month about their safety and security. The address of the petitioners has been given to the learned counsel for the State, which has been handed over to the Investigating Officer. The said address shall not be disclosed to any person by the police. Should the petitioners change their residence to the jurisdiction of any other Police Station, the SHO of the subsequent Police Station shall extend protection to them in terms of this order.

The learned counsel for the State submits that the Investigating Officer shall interact with the petitioners in the Court premises and shall escort them to their place of residence.

No further orders are required.

The petition stands disposed-off in the above terms. A copy of this order be given dasti to the learned counsel for the parties under the signature of the Court Master. NAJMI WAZIRI, J.

JULY 18, 2018 sb