Neha Sharma And ANR v. State Of Punjab And ORS

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc.No.M- 5755 of 2015(O&M) Date of Decision: February 20, 2015.

Neha Sharma and another ...... PETITIONER (s)

Versus

State of Punjab and others ...... RESPONDENT (s) CORAM:- HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE LISA GILL

Present:

Petitioners in person with Mr. Munish Puri, Advocate for the petitioners.

***** LISA GILL, J.

The present petition has been filed by the petitioners for protection of their life and liberty as they apprehend danger at the hands of respondents No.4 and 5 and other relatives because they are stated to have contracted marriage between themselves on 18.02.2015 against the wishes of the said respondents. Both the petitioners are present in Court and on being asked submit that they have contracted marriage between themselves out of their free will and volition.

It is contended that the petitioners are major, their dates of birth being 17.08.1988 and 19.03.1987, respectively. True copies of Matriculation Examination certificate of petitioner No.1 and Secondary School Examination

[2] certificate of petitioner No.2 have been appended with the petition as Annexures P1 and P2. Photographs of the marriage and a copy of the Marriage Certificate are also placed on record as Annexures P3 and P4. The petitioners are stated to have submitted a representation dated 18.02.2014 (Annexure P5) to respondent No.2 i.e., the Senior Superintendent of Police, Pathankot for redressal of their grievance.

Notice of motion to the Advocate General, Punjab. On the asking of the Court, Mr. K.S.Sidhu, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab who is present in the Court, accepts notice on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3. Two copies of the petition have been handed over to learned State counsel.

Without commenting upon the age of the petitioners or the validity of their marriage or the validity and genuineness of the certificates appended with the petition, respondent No.2 - Senior Superintendent of Police, Pathankot is directed to decide representation dated 18.02.2015 submitted by the petitioners and take appropriate action keeping in view the threat perception to the petitioners.

It is, however, made clear that this order shall have no effect on the validity of the alleged marriage of the petitioners and neither will any other civil or criminal proceedings initiated against the petitioners be barred due to this order.

Petition is disposed of accordingly.

( LISA GILL ) February 20, 2015.

JUDGE 'om'

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