IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-2888 of 2010 Date of decision : 1.2.2010 Sarabjit Kaur and another …. Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and Others …. Respondents Present: Mr. Gurpreet Singh, 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) issued by the Punjab School Education Board is 20.3.1988 and that of petitioner No.2 as per his middle standard examination certificate (Annexure P2) issued by the Punjab School Education Board is 12.3.1981. Petitioner No.1 has passed her 10+2 and is doing the course of Elementary Teachers Training at Lakhanpur (J&K). Petitioner No.2 has passed his matriculation examination and is doing his own business and earning sufficiently. The petitioners had a liking for each other and therefore, decided to solemnize their marriage amongst themselves. Petitioner No.2 approached his parents and relatives of petitioner No.1 as also father Crl. Misc. No. M-2888 of 2010 [2] (respondent No.4) of petitioner No.1 in this regard, but father of petitioner No.1 was not agreeable for the marriage and he rather threatened petitioner No.2 that if the marriage was solemnized, he would kill the petitioners. The petitioners tried their best to persuade the father (respondent No.4) and father’s younger brother (chacha) (respondent No.5) of petitioner No.1 but they threatened the petitioners. The petitioners, therefore, on 26.1.2010 left their home and came to Zirakpur. They solemnized their marriage amongst themselves on 27.1.2010 according to Sikh rites and ceremonies at Gurudwara Sri Akalgarh Sahib, Patiala Road, Zirakpur. The said Gurudwara have issued certificate (Annexure P3) which is placed on record. The photographs (Annexure P4) regarding the solemnization of marriage have also 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.4 and 5 who are the father and uncle respectively of petitioner No.1. The petitioners submitted an application (Annexure P5) to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Police District Batala (respondent No.2) for restraining the parents and relatives of petitioner No.1 from taking any illegal action against the petitioners as they have solemnized their marriage against the will and wishes of the relatives of petitioner No.1. It is stated that being an inter-caste marriage, respondents No.4 and 5 are threatening the petitioners. 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 Crl. Misc. No. M-2888 of 2010 [3] happy with her marriage. It is also stated that petitioner No.2 is working as a Mason. 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 1, 2010 amit