Sufiana Jahan And Naothe v. Sta Te Pof Punajb And Othesa

In the High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana at CRWP-6413-2026 (O&M) Date of Decision:- 29.05.2026 Sufina Jahan and another ... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others ... Respondents

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA Present:- Mr. Amit Kumar, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. Anup Singh, AAG, Punjab.

***** SUBHAS MEHLA , J. (Oral) 1.

By way of the instant criminal writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners are seeking issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the official respondents to protect the lives and personal liberty of the petitioners, as they apprehend threat to the same at the hands of private respondents, having married against the wishes of their families.

2.

Learned counsel for the petitioners contends that the petitioners are major and they have solemnized marriage with each other, but they apprehend threat to their life and liberty from the private respondents. While drawing the attention of this Court to representation dated 26.05.2026 (Annexure P-4), learned counsel has submitted that the matter was reported to respondent No.2 - Senior Superintendent of Police, Fazilka, Punjab, seeking police protection, however, it went in vain. Learned counsel further submitted

CRWP-6413-2026 (O&M) ( 2 ) that the petitioners would be satisfied if directions are issued to respondent No.2 to look into the aforesaid representation and take appropriate steps at the earliest.

3.

Notice of motion.

4.

Mr. Anup Singh, AAG, Punjab, accepted notice on behalf of respondent-State and has submitted that the competent authority will look into the matter and take appropriate action, if required, in accordance with law.

5.

Heard.

6.

In this regard, this Court has already given the directions in Asha and another vs. State of Haryana and others, CWP No.6717 of 2009 (2012 SCC Online P&H 12746 ), decided on 25.07.2012 and in compliance of the same, the State Government had taken steps to protect the life and liberty of run away couple.

7.

Apart from that, the State of Punjab vide notification dated 23.01.2025 also notified the SOPs for the protection of life and liberty of the petitioners in similar situations in compliance with the directions passed by this Court in Criminal Writ Petition No.12562 of 2023 titled as "Kajal Vs. State of Haryana and others".

8.

In the light of above directions, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.2 - Senior Superintendent of Police, Fazilka, Punjab, to consider and to take necessary action on the representation dated 26.05.2026 (Annexure P-4) in accordance with law, subject to verification of the age of petitioner No.1 - Sufina, who is stated to be 19 years

CRWP-6413-2026 (O&M) ( 3 ) of age, as no authentic document regarding her age has been placed on record.

( SUBHAS MEHLA ) 29.05.2026 JUDGE Geeta Whether speaking /reasoned Yes / No Whether Reportable Yes / No