Sofia Sahota And ANR v. State Of Punjab And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRWP No.7614 of 2020 Decided on :24.09.2020 Sofia Sahota and another ... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others ... Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G.S. SANDHAWALIA Present :

Mr. S.K. Choudhary, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. Hitten Nehra, Addl. AG, Punjab.

(The proceedings are being conducted through video conferencing as per instructions.) ***** G.S. Sandhawalia , J. (Oral) In the present petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners seek directions to provide protection to the life and liberty from the private respondents Nos.4 to 11, who are relatives of petitioner No.1, on account of their marriage which has taken place on 21.09.2020 as per Christian rites and rituals at Christian Glory Church (Registered). The marriage certificate has been appended as Annexure P-3 The date of birth of petitioner No.1 is 23.09.2000 as per Aadhaar Card (Annexure P-1) and the date of birth of petitioner No.2 is 03.03.1995 as per Aadhaar Card (Annexure P-2). A representation dated 21.09.2020 (Annexure P-4) has also been filed with respondent Nos.2 and 3 in this regard. Notice of motion.

PARVEEN KUMAR 2020.09.24 16:44 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

CRWP No.7614 of 2020 -2Mr. Hitten Nehra, Addl. AG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents/State.

Counsel for the State on instructions from ASI Balwinder Singh, points out that statement of respondent No.4 Rajinder Masih, (father of petitioner No.1) has been recorded yesterday in which he stated that he has no objection to the marriage.

After hearing counsel for the petitioners, without commenting upon the validity/legality of the marriage or the age of the petitioners and in view of the binding precedent of the Hon'ble Apex Court in Lata Singh Vs. State of U.P. and another 2006(2) SCC (Criminal) 478, the present petition is disposed of with the direction to respondent Nos.2 and 3 to look into the above said representation filed by the petitioners and take appropriate action in accordance with law and provide protection, if so required.

In case, there is any material concealment about any of the facts mentioned in the petition, it will be open to any of the parties to bring the same to the notice of this Court then this order will be liable to be withdrawn.

(G.S. SANDHAWALIA) 24.09.2020 JUDGE Parveen Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable:

Yes/No PARVEEN KUMAR 2020.09.24 16:44 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document