Ako Devi And ANR v. State Of Punjab And Others

In The High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana At Chandigarh CRWP-1516-2021 (O&M) Date of Decision:- 15.2.2021 Ako Devi and another ... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others ... Respondents

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GURVINDER SINGH GILL Present:- Mr. Karandeep Singh, Advocate, for the petitioners. (Proceedings conducted through video conferencing) ***** GURVINDER SINGH GILL, J . (Oral) The petitioners have approached this Court seeking issuance of a direction to the official respondents so as to protect their lives and liberty. As per the averments made in the petition, petitioner No.1 had earlier been forcibly married to respondent No.4 about 11 years back and a child was also born out of the wedlock. However, respondent No.4 used to ill-treat her and used to give her beatings. Although several Panchayats were convened but to no avail and respondent No.4 kept on harassing the petitioner No.1. It is averred that petitioner No.

1 being unable to withstand the ill-treatment left her matrimonial home and took shelter in the house of petitioner No.2 who also guided her so as to get her rights enforced. Learned counsel has submitted that although petitioner No.1 intends to file a divorce petition against respondent No.4 but she and MOHAN SINGH 2021.02.

- 2 - CRWP-1516-2021 (O&M) petitioner No.2 are being threatened by respondent No.4 as well as by respondents No.5 to 8 of dire consequences.

Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and while refraining from making any expression as regards the veracity of averments made in the petition or as regards any kind of relationship between the petitioners, the petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.2 i.e. Senior Superintendent of Police, Fazilka, to look into the matter and to dispose of representation dated 6.2.2021 (Annexure P-3) in accordance with law. In case, it is found that there is a genuine threat to the lives and liberty of the petitioners at the hands of private respondents, then necessary steps warranted under law be taken thereupon at the earliest so as to ensure that no harm is caused to the petitioners.

A copy of this order alongwith copy of the representation dated 6.2.2021 be sent to Senior Superintendent of Police, Fazilka (respondent No.2), so as to enable him to do the needful expeditiously. It is, however, clarified that the aforesaid order shall not confer any immunity upon the petitioners, in case it is found that they have committed any wrong.

February 15, 2021 (GURVINDER SINGH GILL) mohan JUDGE Whether speaking /reasoned Yes / No Whether Reportable Yes / No MOHAN SINGH 2021.02.15 19:47 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document