IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-29523 of 2010 Date of decision : 06.10.2010 Ashu and another …. Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and Others ….. Respondents Present : Ms. Monika Jalota, Advocate for the petitioners. *** S.S. SARON, J. The petitioners are a newly married couple. They have on their own solemnized their marriage amongst themselves on 29.9.2010 at Gurudwara Sri Akalgarh Sahib, Patiala Road, Zirakpur according to Sikh rites and ceremonies. The copy of the marriage certificate (Annexure P3) issued by the said Gurudwara and the photographs (Annexure P4) regarding the solemnization of the marriage have been placed on record. On account of the marriage that has been solemnized, the petitioners apprehend danger to their life and liberty from respondents No.4 to 6 who are the mother, brother and maternal uncle respectively of petitioner No.1. The marriage is against their wishes. The petitioners also submitted an application dated 30.9.2010 (Annexure P5) to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Nawanshahar (respondent No.2) for providing them protection from the parents and other relatives of petitioner No.1. However, despite the said application, the threat to the petitioners persists. Therefore, they have filed the present petition. Crl. Misc. No. M-29523 of 2010 [2] The petitioners, it is stated, are major. The date of birth of petitioner No.1 as per her passport (Annexure P1) is 27.9.1984 and that of petitioner No.2 as per his passport (Annexure P2) is 26.3.1989. The petitioners had known each other for the last four years. Despite efforts to convince the family members of petitioner No.1, they did not agree. Therefore, the petitioners have solemnized their marriage on their own. The averments as made in the petition are supported by the affidavit of Ashu (petitioner No.1). 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. It is also stated by the petitioners that they were not earlier married. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, the criminal miscellaneous petition is disposed of with a direction to 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 September 6, 2010 amit