Geetanjli Abhol And ANR v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CRWP-9776-2020 (O&M) Date of decision : 27.11.2020 Geetanjli Abhol and another ... Petitioner(s)

Versus

State of Punjab and others ... Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ALKA SARIN

Present:

Mr. Nagar Singh, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. M.S. Nagra, AAG, Punjab.

**** ALKA SARIN, J. (ORAL) Heard through video conferencing.

This is a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking directions to respondent Nos.2 and 3 to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners at the hands of respondent Nos.4 and 5. Learned counsel for the petitioners would contend that both the petitioners are major in the present case. The date of birth of petitioner No.1 is 23.08.2002 and that of petitioner No.2 is 14.12.2001. In support of ageproof, the Aadhaar Cards of both the petitioners have been annexed with the petition as Annexures P-2 and P-4. Learned counsel for the petitioners would further contend that the petitioners eventually intend to get married. However, since petitioner No.2 is not of marriageable age, they are living together in a live-in relationship. Since the private respondent Nos.

4 and 5 are against the live-in relationship of the petitioners, the petitioners are receiving serious threats and apprehend grave danger to their life and liberty and in this regard they have also sent a representation dated 16.11.2020 YOGESH SHARMA 2020.11.

CRWP-9776-2020 (O&M) -2- (Annexure P-5) to respondent No.2 for protection of their life and liberty. However, no action has been taken on the same. Notice of motion.

On the asking of the Court, Mr. M.S. Nagra, AAG, Punjab, who has joined the session through video conferencing, accepts notice on behalf of the State.

Heard learned counsel for the parties.

Without expressing any opinion with regard to the veracity of the contents of the petition and the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioners, the present petition is disposed off with a direction to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur (Punjab) to decide the representation dated 16.11.2020 (Annexure P-5) and take necessary action as per law.

It is, however, made clear that this order shall not, in any manner, be construed as an expression of opinion on the veracity of the statement made by the petitioners or on the validity of the relationship and shall have no effect on any other civil or criminal proceedings, if any, instituted/pending against them.

Disposed off.

27.11.2020 Yogesh Sharma ( ALKA SARIN ) JUDGE NOTE: Whether speaking/non-speaking: Speaking Whether reportable: YES/NO YOGESH SHARMA 2020.11.27 21:03 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document