IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Criminal Misc M-13116 of 2010 Date of decision: 11.5.2010 Manjit Kaur and anr …Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and ors …Respondents Present: Mr JS Dadwal, Advocate for the petitioners. S.S.SARON, J. The petitioners are a newly married couple. The present petition has been filed for directing the official respondents-1 to 3 to protect their life and liberty and not to interfere in the peaceful married life of the petitioners at the behest of respondents-4 and 5 who are the parents of petitioner-1. The petitioners had known each other for the last three years and had a liking for each other. Their relationship came to the knowledge of respondents-4 and 5 and they got agitated. Both the petitioners are major. The date of birth of petitioner-1 as per her Middle Standard Examination Certificate (P1) issued by the Punjab School Education Board is 23.11.1985 and that of petitioner-2 as per his Middle Standard Examination Certificate (P2) issued by the aforesaid Board is 2.9.1985. The petitioners decided to solemnize their marriage amongst themselves, which they solemnized on 3.5.2010 at Gurudwara Sri Akalgarh Sahib, Karoran Kalan, Mohali, as per Sikh Rites, by way of Anand Karaj Ceremony. Photographs (P3) and the marriage certificate (P4) issued Cr Misc M-13116 of 2010 2 by the Head Granthi of the aforesaid Gurudwara have been placed on record. Since the marriage was against the wishes of respondents-4 and 5 and other relatives of petitioner-1 as they wanted to marry her with someone of their choice, now they have threatened the petitioners with dire consequences. The Police is also raiding the places of parents and relatives of petitioner-2. The petitioners apprehend that in case respondents-4 and 5 get hold of the petitioners, then they would be hanged to death. Therefore, they are running here and there for their safety. It is submitted that the petitioners have married each other on their own free will and consent and they were not under any threat, pressure or undue influence at the time of their marriage. The petitioners left their residence on 1.5.2010 and since then have been living outside the limits of District Ludhiana. They have been living far away from their residences, due to fear of respondents-4 and 5 and also their relatives and friends. In fact petitioner-1 soon after her marriage, contacted her parents (respondens-4 and 5) on phone and they threatened her that the petitioners would be killed or would be implicated in some criminal case. The petitioners also submitted a representation dated 3.5.2010 (P5) to the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana (respondent-2) for providing them protection. But, despite the said representation, the threat to them persists. Both the petitioners are present in Court and are identified by their counsel. It is stated by petitioner-1 that she has solemnized her marriage with petitioner-2 as per her wishes and desire and without any kind of pressure or undue influence. Besides, she is happy with her marriage. In view of the above, this petition is disposed of with a direction to respondents-2 and 3 that in case the petitioners approach any of Cr Misc M-13116 of 2010 3 them setting out their grievances as have been stated herein, their request shall be considered and looked into by them independently and in accordance with law. 11.5.2010. ( S.S.SARON ) ASR Judge