Rohitpal Singh v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 17.04.2026 Rohitpal Singh ....Petitioner

Versus

State of Punjab and others ....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH

Present:

Ms. Komalpreet Kaur, Advocate for the petitioners.

Mr. Jasdeep Singh Gill, Addl. A.G. Punjab **** SANJAY VASHISTH , J (ORAL) 1.

Petitioner - Rohitpal Singh, aged 33 years has filed instant petition in the nature of Habeas Corpus directing the respondent authorities to get the detenue namely Rounak, d/o Naval Kishore, to be released from the illegal custody of respondent Nos.6 and 7, who are none else her parents. 2.

After hearing learned counsel for the petitioner, on 02.04.2026, the following was recorded:

1. Present petition has been filed by the petitioner in the capacity of being a next friend of the detenue namely Rounak, d/o Naval Kishore, seeking issuance of direction to the respondents, to get the her released, as she being kept in the illegal custody of respondent Nos.6 and 7 against her wishes.

2. Counsel for the petitioner submits that on 15.03.2025, detenue disclosed her relationship to her parents with the petitioner. Following this disclosure, she was subjected to severe physical assault and threats,

including explicit threats that the detenue as well as petitioner would be killed, if seen together. Under such coercive circumstances, detenue was compelled to leave her parental home on 20.03.2025 and sought shelter at the petitioner's residence.

3. Subsequently, on 29.03.2025, petitioner's mother, Kanwaljeet Kaur, produced the detenue before the Police Station, Civil Lines, District Amritsar, at which point, petitioner and his family came to know that Respondent No.6 had registered FIR No.33 dated 21.03.2025 under Sections 137(2), 96 BNS, Police Station Civil Lines, District Amritsar, against the petitioner.

4. Respondent No.4, ASI Kamaljeet Kaur, produced the detenue, namely Rounak, before Shri M.K. Sharma, Member of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Amritsar, at her residence, where her statement was recorded. Detenue-Rounak was directed to be kept in the custody of the State After Care Home, vide written order bearing Case No.CWC/2025/ASR dated 29.03.2025 (Annexure P-1), till 02.04.2025.

5. Pursuant to the order passed by the Child Welfare Committee, Amritsar, Respondent No. 4-ASI Kamaljeet Kaur, along with other officials, took the detenue-Rounak, to the State After Care Home, Majitha Road, Amritsar, and handed her over to the authorities there. This fact is recorded in General Diary No.33 dated 29.03.2025 of Police Station Civil Lines, District Amritsar (Annexure P-2).

6. Counsel for the petitioner further submits that petitioner has made several attempts to contact the detenue but is unable to do so. Petitioner also visited the State After Care Home to ascertain her whereabouts; however, the authorities failed to provide any relevant information and neither confirmed her presence nor disclosed whether she had been taken away by any person.

7. Petitioner has now come to know that Respondent Nos. 6 and 7 are attempting to force the detenue to marry a person against her will, who is significantly older (approximately 30 years of age). She has been subjected to repeated physical beatings and unlawful confinement to compel her into such a marriage.

8. Further, it is submitted that on 26.03.2025, detenue, through the petitioner's mother, Kanwaljeet Kaur, had approached this Court seeking

protection of her life and liberty from her father-Respondent No.6, in CRWP-3068-2025, which was subsequently dismissed as withdrawn.

9. Notice of motion for 17.04.2026.

10. On advance notice, Mr. Jasdeep Singh, Addl. AG, Punjab, puts an appearance on behalf of the respondent/State, and seeks some time to get instructions and to file status report in the matter.

11. Meanwhile, respondent No.2 - Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, is directed to immediately depute some police officer/official, not below the rank of Sub Inspector to visit the house of respondent Nos.6 and 7, or any other place of detention, where the alleged detenue 'Raunak' is stated to be detained. The concerned police official would record the statement of the alleged detenue 'Raunak' and her parents, i.e. respondent Nos.6 and 7, and thereupon, status report be filed by learned State counsel on or before the next date of hearing."

3.

Today, learned State counsel on instructions from ASI Hardial Singh submits that statement of detenue- Rounak, aged 17 years and 10 months was recorded on 08.04.2026, wherein she clearly stated that she is happily residing with her parents i.e. respondents No. 6 and 7. 4.

Faced with the situation, learned counsel for petitioner does not press the instant petition.

5.

In view of the above, the petition is disposed of as not pressed. 17.04.2026 (SANJAY VASHISTH) reena JUDGE

1. Whether speaking/ reasoned:

Yes /No

2. Whether reportable :

Yes /No