IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-32984 of 2010 Date of decision : 10.11.2010 Kulwant Kaur and another …. Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and others ….. Respondents Present : Mr. M.S. Bajwa, Advocate for the petitioners. *** S.S. SARON, J. The petitioners had known each other since a long time and they had a liking for each other and wanted to get married. They tried to convince their respective parents. However, the parents (respondents No.4 and 5) and brother (respondent No.6) of petitioner No.1; besides, her uncle i.e. father’s elder brother (respondent No.7) were against the marriage. The petitioners, therefore, on their own solemnized their marriage amongst themselves on 26.10.2010 according to Sikh rites and ceremonies. The marriage was solemnized at Guru Nanak Gurudwara, SAS Nagar, Mohali. The certificate of marriage (Annexure P3) issued by the aforesaid Gurudwara and photographs (Annexure P4) taken at the time of marriage have 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 to 7. The petitioners also submitted an application dated 08.11.2010 (Annexure P5) to Senior Superintendent of Police, Tarn Taran (respondent Crl. Misc. No. M-32984 of 2010 [2] No.2) requesting him to protect and ensure their liberty. However, despite the said representation, the threat to them persists. Therefore, they have filed the present petition. It is submitted that both the petitioners are major. The date of birth of petitioner No.1 as per her 5th class examination certificate (Annexure P1) issued by Education Department, Punjab (SCERT) is 15.5.1992 and that of petitioner No.2 as per his matriculation certificate (Annexure P2) issued by the Punjab School Education Board is 12.5.1983. The averments made in the petition are supported by the affidavit of Kulwant Kaur (petitioner No.1). 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. It is also stated by the petitioners that they were not earlier married. 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 November 10, 2010 amit