IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-14582 of 2010 Date of decision : 17.5.2010 Sumantak and Others …. Petitioners Versus State of Haryana and Others ….. Respondents Present : Mr. Pankaj Bali, Advocate for the petitioners. *** S.S. SARON, J. Petitioners No.2 and 3 are a newly married couple and petitioner No.1 is the cousin of petitioner No.3 who has helped the petitioners in solemnizing their marriage. The petitioners apprehend danger to their life and liberty from respondents No.4 to 6 who are the parents and brother respectively of petitioner No.2. Therefore, they have filed the present petition for directing respondents No.1 to 3 not to harass them or interfere in their married life. Petitioners No.2 and 3, it is stated, are major. The date of birth of petitioner No.2 is 12.1.1991. She has deposed an affidavit in this regard, a copy of which has been placed on record as Annexure P1. The original affidavit has been filed in Court today and is taken on record. The date of birth of petitioner No.3 is 11.10.1988. He has deposed an affidavit in this regard, a copy of which is placed on record as Annexure P2. The original affidavit has been filed in Court which is taken on record. Petitioners No.2 and 3 had a liking for each Crl. Misc. No. M-14582 of 2010 [2] other. However, they being of different castes, their family members were against their relationship and also of their intention to marry each other. Therefore, petitioners No.2 and 3 ran away from their respective houses and all documents relating to their age are in custody of their respective parents. Respondents No.4 to 6 who are the parents and brother respectively of petitioner No.2 and it is stated that they are very influential persons and are searching for the petitioners. Petitioners No.2 and 3 solemnized their marriage amongst themselves on 13.5.2010 at Balmiki Mandir, Sector-23, Chandigarh. The ‘sector’ though is not mentioned in the petition, however, it is stated by learned counsel that Balmiki Mandir is situated in Sector-23, Chandigarh. The photographs (Annexure P3) taken at the time of marriage have been placed on record. Petitioners No.2 and 3, it is stated, are under threat from respondents No.4 to 6 and petitioner No.1 (cousin of petitioner No.3) is also under threat as he has helped petitioners No.2 and 3 to solemnize their marriage. Petitioner No.2 has also submitted an application dated 14.5.2010 (Annexure P4) to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kaithal (respondent No.2) seeking protection of life and liberty for herself, her husband, her in-laws and petitioner No.1 (cousin of petitioner No.3) from respondents No.4 to 6 and from her relatives. Despite the said application, the threat to the petitioners persists. Petitioners No.2 and 3 are present in Court and are identified by their counsel. It is stated by petitioner No.2 that she has solemnized her marriage with petitioner No.3 of her own free will and desire and without any kind of pressure or undue influence. She is happy with her marriage. Crl. Misc. No. M-14582 of 2010 [3] 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 May 17, 2010 amit