Shruti Bharat Mehta And ANR v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH 2023:PHHC:160365 CRWP-12062-2023 Date of decision: December 14th, 2023 Shruti Bharat Mehta and another .....Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others .....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL

Present:

Ms. Manpreet Kaur, Advocate for the petitioners.

MANJARI NEHRU KAUL , J. (ORAL) Prayer in the instant petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is for issuance of directions to respondents No.2 and 3, to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners, who apprehend threat to their life at the hands of private respondents No.4 to 6, who are stated to be family members of petitioner No.1. 2.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that petitioner No.1, aged 23 years and petitioner No.2, aged 30 years, got married on 11.12.2023, against the wishes of family members of petitioner No.1, arrayed as respondents No.4 to 6. Ever since then, the petitioners are being threatened with dire consequences by the private respondents. Resultantly, a representation dated 11.12.2023 (Annexure P-7) was also made to respondent No.2-Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur, for protection of their life and liberty but in vain. Learned counsel submits that he would be satisfied if directions are issued to respondent No.2-Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur, to look into their representation (Annexure P-7) and take appropriate steps at PUNEET SACHDEVA 2023.12.14 16:23 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document.

Chandigarh

CRWP-12062-2023 -2the earliest.

3.

Notice of motion to official respondents only. 4.

On asking of the Court, Mohit Kapoor, Additional Advocate General, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the official respondents.

5.

In view of the above, the present petition is disposed of with a directions to respondent No.2-Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur, to look into the representation dated 11.12.2023 (Annexure P-7) qua the alleged threat perception and take necessary steps, as may be required, in accordance with law, to ensure that the life and liberty of the petitioners is not jeopardized at the hands of the private respondents. 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.

December 14th, 2023 (MANJARI NEHRU KAUL) Puneet JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether reportable :

Yes/No PUNEET SACHDEVA 2023.12.14 16:23 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document.

Chandigarh