The Uttarakhand High Court has intervened in a case of alleged illegal confinement, directing the Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to ensure a woman is produced before the court in person on May 18. The order comes following a habeas corpus petition filed by the woman’s husband, who claims she is being held against her will by her parents.
The legal proceedings were initiated by Vaibhav Gupta, who alleges that his domestic life in Haridwar was abruptly upended when his wife’s family members forcibly removed her from their home. According to Gupta’s plea, the couple had been living happily until the intervention of her parents.
Gupta contends that his wife is currently being detained in the Ambedkar Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.
During the hearing on Tuesday, a division bench comprising Justices Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Pankaj Purohit reviewed the current status of the woman. State counsel informed the bench that the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Bahadrabad police station in Haridwar had already conducted a welfare check via video conferencing. During that call, the woman reportedly stated that she was safe.
However, the petitioner’s counsel, Ajit Kumar Yadav, challenged the validity of the digital interaction. Yadav argued that the woman is currently under significant fear and external pressure from her parents, suggesting that a video call does not provide the environment necessary for her to speak freely.
Recognizing the need to verify the woman’s statement without the possibility of external influence, the High Court ruled that she must appear in person.
“The court directed the SSP, Haridwar to coordinate with police authorities in Ambedkar Nagar to ensure her presence,” the proceedings noted, emphasizing the cross-state cooperation required between Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh authorities.
The bench has scheduled the next hearing for May 18, at which point the woman is expected to provide a statement of her own free will directly to the court. The outcome of the habeas corpus petition will likely hinge on her testimony regarding whether she is staying with her parents by choice or under duress.
