KOMALPREET KAUR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The aforesaid presence is being recorded through video conferencing since the proceedings are being conducted in virtual court]

(2.) The petitioners, having attained the age of 18, are seeking protection of their life and liberty at the hands of the private respondents, who are none other than the immediate family members of petitioner No. 1.

(3.) In brief the facts as stated are, that Ms. Komalpreet Kaur petitioner No. 1 is aged 21 years with her date of birth being 12/12/1999 whereas Mr. Harsh Kumar petitioner No. 2 is younger and is 18 years 7 months old, with his date of birth being 12/10/2002. The parents of petitioner No. 1 wanted her to marry a person of their choice as they had come to know about her love affair with petitioner No. 2. Petitioner No. 1 left her paternal home on 31/5/2021 and called upon petitioner No. 2 (whom she had known for the past 5 years). Petitioner No. 2 requested her to go back, but being fearful for her life and that she would be forcibly married to another person, she refused to do so. Consequently, she went to petitioner No. 2 and presently, both of them are hiding themselves in temples and Gurdwaras from respondents No. 4 to 7. The petitioners decided to live together till such time as they could solemnise a marriage, i.e. on petitioner No. 2 attaining the age of 21. It is also stated that the relationship would never be accepted by the private respondents. The petitioners have already approached the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar and SHO, Police Station Sadar Amritsar, District Amritsar vide representation dtd. 31/5/2021 (Annexure P-4) seeking protection at the hands of the private respondents, but there has been no response. Fearing a threat to their life, as the relationship was not acceptable to the parents and family members of petitioner No. 1 have threatened to kill the petitioners, the instant criminal writ petition has been preferred.