IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-12728 of 2010 Date of decision: 3.5.2010 Kanta Devi and another …. Petitioners Versus State of Haryana and others ….. Respondents Present : Mr.Vikram Singh, Advocate for the petitioners. *** S.S. SARON, J. The petitioners are a newly married couple. They have filed the present petition for directing respondents No.2 and 3 to protect their life and liberty by providing them police protection. A further prayer has been made for directing respondents No.4 to 9 who are the relatives of petitioner No.1 not to interfere with the life and liberty of the petitioners or harass them in any manner. The petitioners, it is stated, are major. The date of birth of petitioner No.1 as per her secondary examination certificate (Annexure P1) issued by the Board of School Education, Haryana is 5.1.1990. The date of birth of petitioner No.2 as per his matriculation certificate (Annexure P2) is 2.6.1977. Petitioner No.2 is 13 years elder to petitioner No.1. It is stated that petitioner No.2 is the Crl. Misc. No. M-12728 of 2010 [2] brother-in-law (Jija) of petitioner No.1 who was married to the sister of petitioner No.1. The marriage between petitioner No.2 and sister of petitioner No.1 was solemnized on 17.2.2002. They have a son from the said marriage. The elder sister of petitioner No.1 /wife of petitioner No.2 died on 13.3.2009. The petitioners developed liking for each other and therefore, they decided to solemnize their marriage amongst themselves. The petitioners on their own have solemnized their marriage on 29.4.2010 at Maharishi Balmiki Mandir, Sector 32- C, Chandigarh. The photographs (Annexure P3) of marriage and the marriage certificate (Annexure P4) issued by the Aadhayatmik Arya Samaj Mission, Chandigarh have been placed on record. On account of the marriage that has been solemnized by the petitioners, they apprehend danger from respondents No.4 to 9. The petitioners also submitted a representation dated 29.4.2010 (Annexure P5) mentioning therein that the petitioners have solemnized their marriage amongst themselves, therefore, their life and liberty be protected. Besides, father and other relatives of petitioner No.1 be asked not to harass them. Despite the said representation, the threat to the petitioners persists. Therefore, they have approached this Court. Both the petitioners are present in Court and are identified by their counsel. It is stated by petitioner No.1 that she has solemnized her marriage with petitioner No.2 of her own free will and desire and without any kind of pressure or undue influence. She is happy with her marriage. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, the criminal miscellaneous petition is disposed of with a direction to Crl. Misc. No. M-12728 of 2010 [3] respondents No.2 and 3 that in case the petitioners approach any of them setting out their grievances as have been made in the present petition, the same would be looked into by them independently and in accordance with law. (S.S. SARON) JUDGE May 3, 2010 amit