IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-35935 of 2010 Date of decision: 07.12.2010 Manpreet Kaur and another …. Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and Others ….. Respondents Present : Mr. H.S. Rakhra, Advocate for the petitioners. *** S.S. SARON, J. The petitioners on their own solemnized their marriage amongst themselves on 03.12.2010 at Gurudwara Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji, Malerkotla Road, Raikot. The marriage certificate (Annexure P4) issued by the Head Granthi of the aforesaid Gurudwara and the photographs (Annexure P5) taken at the time of the marriage of the petitioners have been placed on record. On account of the marriage that has been solemnized, the petitioners apprehend threat to their life and liberty from respondents No.5 to 8 who are the father, brothers and maternal uncle respectively of petitioner No.1. It is submitted that being an inter-caste marriage, the petitioners are likely to be implicated in some false case. The age of Manpreet Kaur (petitioner No.1) is about 18-19 years. A reference has been made to her 5th class examination certificate (Annexure P1) issued by the Crl. Misc. No. M-35935 of 2010 [2] Education Department, Punjab (SCERT) in which the date of birth of Manpreet Kaur (petitioner No.1) has been mentioned as 15.3.1992. Gurdeep Singh (petitioner No.2) is, however, less than 21 years. His date of birth as per his birth certificate (Annexure P2) is 01.12.1992. In any case it is submitted that he is more than 18 years of age and a reference has been made to the Majority Act, 1875 in which the age of majority has been mentioned as 18 years. Besides, in terms of Section 2 which provides for “savings”, it is envisaged therein that nothing contained shall affect the capacity of any persons to act in the following matters (namely),- marriage, dower, divorce and adoption. It is also submitted that father of petitioner No.2 namely Avtar Singh is present in Court and he has consented to the marriage of his son Gurdeep Singh (petitioner No.2) with Manpreet Kaur (petitioner No.1). The averments made in the petition are supported by an affidavit of Manpreet Kaur (petitioner No.1). Both the petitioners and Avtar Singh, father of petitioner No.2-Gurdeep Singh are present in Court and are identified by their counsel. It is stated by Manpreet Kaur (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 are not earlier married. Avtar Singh, father of Gurdeep Singh (petitioner No.2) has submitted that the marriage of his son has been solemnized with his consent and approval. Keeping in view the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, the criminal miscellaneous Crl. Misc. No. M-35935 of 2010 [3] petition is disposed of with a direction to respondents No.2 to 4 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 December 07, 2010 amit