In a decisive move, the Kerala High Court has intervened to ensure the safety of an interfaith couple from Jharkhand, who sought refuge in Kerala following threats from their families. Justice C S Dias presided over the case, directing local law enforcement to provide necessary protection and barring any attempts to forcibly repatriate them back to Jharkhand.
The couple, 26-year-old Asha Verma and 30-year-old Mohammad Galib, have been together for a decade and chose to marry in Kerala due to ongoing threats and the risk of honor killing in their home state. They solemnized their marriage under Islamic rites on February 11 in Kayamkulam, Alappuzha district.
Trouble ensued shortly after their wedding when, on February 14, Asha’s sister arrived in Kerala with a police officer from Rajrappa, Jharkhand. They allegedly tried to coerce Asha into claiming she had been abducted, a charge she refused. Asha and Galib responded by filing complaints with both the district police and the State Police Chief, seeking immediate protection.
Their legal plea highlighted their fundamental rights under Articles 19(1)(e) and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which protect their freedom to live and marry anywhere within India. They petitioned the court for a writ of mandamus, urging it to direct authorities to safeguard them from family interference and potential police actions that could violate their rights.
