Sonia And Another v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 04.06.2026 Sonia and another ....Petitioners

Versus

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

Present:

Mr. Rakesh Kumar Kachura, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. Manjinder Singh Bhullar, DAG Punjab Mr. Arshdeep S. Khaira, Advocate for respondents No. 5 and 6 **** SANJAY VASHISTH , J (ORAL) 1.

Petitioners-Sonia, aged 20 years and Akashdeep, aged 22 years have filed the instant petition seeking protection of their live and liberty as they apprehend danger at the hands of respondents No.5 and 6, who are none other than the brother and father of petitioner No.1 (Sonia). 2.

On direction of this Court, petitioner No. 1-Sonia is present today before this Court. However, respondent No. 2 - Akashdeep could not come present on account of being arrested, on the basis of disclosure statement of some other accused in case FIR No. 49 dated 09.05.2026, registered under Sections 21 and 29 of NDPS Act at Police Station Sadar, Shimla. 3.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that infact, petitioner No. 2 has been falsely involved in the said case, after filing of the instant petition before this Court in April 2026.

4.

Parents of petitioner No. 1 are also present before the Court alongwith respondent No. 6 and one other person, who is stated to be his brother-in-law. To verify the aspect whether petitioner No. 1 is happily staying with petitioner No. 2 or marriage performed by her is due to any pressure/force from anyone, interaction with petitioner No. 1 was made inside chamber in the presence of Ms. Anmol Sharma, Law Researcher and Ms. Surekha, Law Researcher, wherein petitioner No. 1 stated in clear terms that she has preformed marriage on 28.04.2026 with her own free will and wish and now she is staying with petitioner No. 2. However, parents and other family members present in Court raises objection to the relationship of the petitioners by stating that petitioner No. 2 is of a criminal nature as he is involved in several other criminal cases. Such aspects can not be examined in present proceedings once both the petitioners are competent to take their independent decision being major by age and they are staying together after performing lawful marriage.

5.

In view of the above, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.2 - Senior Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur to look into the representation dated 28.04.2026 (Annexure P-5), qua threat perception, and if there is any substance in it, take necessary steps, in accordance with law, to ensure that the lives and liberty of the petitioners are not jeopardized at the hands of the private respondents.

6.

SHO Davinder Singh, Police Station Guru Harsahai is directed to take necessary steps to accompany petitioner No. 1 to ensure that petitioner is reached safely back at her place of living.

7.

However, this direction will not validate the marriage said to have taken place between the parties and will have no effect on any civil or criminal

action, which could be initiated in the matter in accordance with law. 04.06.2026 (SANJAY VASHISTH) reena JUDGE

1. Whether speaking/ reasoned:

Yes /No

2. Whether reportable :

Yes /No