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The Delhi High Court has granted protection to an inter-faith couple who had a love affair and got married at Arya Samaj Mandir as per Hindu rites and ceremonies.

Justice Chandra Dhari Singh while issuing the notice, directed the local police that if any lapse occurred in the security/protection of the petitioners, the ACP of Ashok Vihar area and the SHO, Police Station Keshav Puram would be held liable.

The instant writ petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for issuance of writ of mandamus for direction to local police to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners from family members.

As per the plea the age of the Muslim girl( who coverted to Hindu religion before marrying the boy) is 26 years, while that of the Hindu boy is 24 years. Their counsel submitted that since this was an inter-religious marriage, therefore, there were serious threats to life and liberty of the petitioners from the family members of girl.

On December 11, the family members (respondent’s no. 3 to 5) gave merciless beatings to the girl as mentioned in the plea and also tried to forcefully get her married to another person.

Taking into account the factual matrix of the present case, the bench issued notice to the family members,

“Issue notice to respondents 3 to 5 on filing PF within a week, returnable on 24th January 2022.”

Further, the Additional Standing Counsel accepted notice for the state and sought some time to file the status report. He also stated that the requisite protection shall be provided to the petitioners.

[Cause Title: Farheen Saini & Anr vs State of NCT of Delhi & Ors]