IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-18430 of 2010 Date of decision : 1.7.2010 Kanika Mahajan and another …. Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and Others ….. Respondents Present : Mr. Y.M. Bhagirath, Advocate for the petitioners. *** S.S. SARON, J. The petitioners are a newly married couple. The present petition has been filed for directing respondents No.2 and 3 not to harass them at the behest of respondent No.4 who is the father of petitioner No.1. It is further prayed that respondent No.4 or anybody else be directed not to interfere in the peaceful married life of the petitioners. The petitioners, it is stated, are major. The date of birth of petitioner No.1 as per her driving licence (Annexure P1) is 2.3.1991 and that of petitioner No.2 as per his passport (Annexure P2) is 2.10.1987. The petitioners had a liking for each other. Petitioner No.1 informed her parents that she wanted to marry petitioner No.2. However, they warned her not to pursue the matter as it would lead to alarming consequences as they would not allow the marriage. They wanted petitioner No.1 to marry with a boy of their own choice. Besides, petitioner No.2 was not of their liking. The petitioners, therefore, on their own solemnized their marriage amongst themselves on 24.6.2010 according to the Sikh rites at Amritsar. The marriage certificate (Annexure P3) issued by Head Crl. Misc. No. M-18430 of 2010 [2] Granthi, Gurudwara Nank Pura Sahib, Near Simran Palace Ajnala Road, Shri Amritsar has been placed on record. After marriage when the petitioners tried to return to the home of petitioner No.2, respondents No.4 and other relatives of petitioner No.1 came there and abused the petitioners. They created noisy scenes and threatened to eliminate them. The petitioners have left their house and are living at various places. The petitioners have also approached the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar (respondent No.2) vide representation dated 25.6.2010 (Annexure P4). They sought protection of their life and liberty from the parents of petitioner No.1. However, 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 them that they have solemnized their marriage with each other on their own free will and desire and without any kind of pressure or undue influence. They are happy with their marriage. Petitioner No.1, it is stated, has done her B.Com 1st year. Petitioner No.2 has completed his graduation and is now doing his masters. 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) July 1, 2010 JUDGE amit