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The Delhi High Court on Friday granted protection to a couple belonging to the LGBTQ community facing threats from their family members.

The single Judge bench of Justice Mukta Gupta was hearing a plea by NGO Dhanak of Humanity which had filed the petition in regard to a couple belonging to the LGBTQ Community who stated that they are majors, however, their relationship is not acceptable to their family members for the reason the couple belongs to LGBTQ community.

They hail from Punjab and now are in Delhi for solemnisation of their marriage.It is their grievance the couple escaped and reached to the NGO with whom they were connected since 2nd July, 2021, however on 13th July, 2021, the couple were assaulted by the family members of one of the couple and hence were seeking safe house and protection.

The Court while issuing notice raised a query as to where the State of Delhi had opened its safe houses in terms of the decision of the Supreme Court in case of Shakti Vahini vs. Union of India, W.P.(Civil) No.231/2010 vide order dated 27th March, 2018, the Additional Standing Counsel for the State informed the Court that a safe house has been opened at Seva Kutir Complex, Kingsway Camp, Delhi in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court.

The Court accordingly directed the SHO, PS Mayur Vihar, Phase-I, Delhi to ensure that the petitioners are taken from the office of the NGO and lodged at the safe house at Seva Kutir Complex, Kingsway Camp, Delhi where they would be given necessary protection by the concerned SHO through beat staff/division officer and other security maintained at the Seva Kutir complex.

on the prayer made by the petitioner to implead their parents as parties to the case, the Court accepted their prayer and issued notice on the application.

The Court will hear the matter on August 2.

Case Title: Dhanak of Humanity and Ors vs State of NCT and Anr