Criminal Misc. No. M-14494 of 2011 1 In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, at Chandigarh. Criminal Misc. No. M-14494 of 2011 Date of Decision: 18.5.2011 Sundrawati and Another …Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and Others …Respondents CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE KANWALJIT SINGH AHLUWALIA. Present: Ms. Niti Wadhawan, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr.J.S. Bhullar, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab, for respondents No.1 to 3. None for respondents No.4 and 5. Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia, J. (Oral) The present petition has been filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. praying that respondents No.2 and 3 be directed not to harass the petitioners at the instance of respondents No.4 and 5 as they have performed marriage according to their own free will. On 11.5.2011, this Court has passed the following order:- “Petitioners namely Sundrawati and Mangu Ram are present in the Court. Petitioner No.1-Sundrawati has stated that she was born on 5th March, 1991. However, no document has been attached with this petition, wherefrom her date of birth can be Criminal Misc. No. M-14494 of 2011 2 deciphered. Issue notice of motion. On the asking of Court, Mr. Mehardeep Singh, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3. A copy of the petition has been supplied to him. Even if petitioner No.1-Sundrawati is a minor, her life is to be protected. Therefore, till the next date of hearing, the respondent No.2- Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, is directed to assess threat perception to the petitioners and if required, ensure necessary vigil that no harm is caused to their life. Respondent No.3-SHO Police Station Chherratta, District Amritsar is further directed to serve a notice upon respondents No.4 and 5 regarding next date of hearing in this Court. List on 18th May, 2011. A copy of this order, duly attested by the Special Secretary of this Court, be supplied to counsel for the State for onward transmission and compliance”. Learned counsel for respondents No.1 to 3 has submitted that a due notice was served upon respondentso.4 and 5 regarding the pendency of the present petition in this Court but they have opted not to appear herein. This Court, in Poonam and Another v. State of Haryana Criminal Misc. No. M-14494 of 2011 3 and Others (Criminal Misc. No. M-12767 of 2011 decided on 3.5.2011) has taken a view that a minor, who has performed marriage according to her own free will is entitled to protection so that nobody is able to cause harm to her life. This Court, in the present petition, shall neither determine the validity of the marriage nor the question of custody of minor girl petitioner No.1. The minor girl cannot be allowed to be lynched by those who have not accepted the marriage. To prevent the crime of honour killing, this Court will not hesitant to protect the life of the couple. Hence, the present petition is disposed of by issuing a direction to respondent No.3-Station House Officer, Police Station Chherratta, District Amritsar, to ensure necessary vigil that no harm is caused to the life of the petitioners. (Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia) Judge May 18, 2011 “DK”