IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-4162 of 2010 Date of decision : 11.2.2010 Rima Rani and another …. Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and others …. Respondents Present: Mr. Hem Raj Bhardwaj, Advocate for the petitioners. **** S.S. SARON, J. The petitioners, it is stated, are major. The date of birth of petitioner No.1 as per her middle standard examination certificate (Annexure P1) is 1.7.1984. Petitioner No.2 has placed on record the identity card (Annexure P2) issued by the Election Commission of India in which his age as on 1.1.2006 is recorded as 22 years. The petitioners belong to different castes but they had a liking for each other. Therefore, they tried to convince the father (respondent No.4) of petitioner No.1 for the marriage but being an inter-caste marriage he was opposed to the same. He had been restricting petitioner No.1 from meeting petitioner No.2. Despite best efforts to persuade respondent No.4, he remained adamant. The petitioners, therefore, left their respective homes and solemnized their marriage amongst themselves on 8.2.2010 in accordance with Hindu rites and rituals at Arya Samaj, Mandir. The photographs (Annexure P3) of the Crl. Misc. No. M-4162 of 2010 [2] ceremony of the marriage and the certificate (Annexure P4) issued by the Adhaytmik Arya Samaj Mission, Chandigarh have been placed on record. However, on account of the marriage, the petitioners apprehend danger to their life and liberty. Petitioner No.1 has also submitted a representation dated 8.2.2010 (Annexure P5) to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Sangrur (respondent No.2) seeking her protection as also that of her husband (petitioner No.2). However, despite the said application, the threat to them persists. 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 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 February 11, 2010 amit