On Wednesday, the Allahabad High Court reiterated that adults have the right to live together, and nobody is entitled to interfere with their lives.
Case Before the Court
The petitioners filed a writ petition in the Allahabad High Court. They prayed the Court to direct the respondents to not interfere in their married life and also prayed for protection.”
Before the Court, the petitioners stated that they are adults and were living together, which has annoyed the respondent no.4 and his family members who have threatened the petitioners.
To prove that they are adults, petitioner no.1 submitted her high school mark sheet and petitioner no.2 submitted his Aadhaar card. After perusing the submitted id proofs, the Court opined that the petitioners were majors.
Petitioner no.1 stated that she has converted to Islam and after the conversion, she married petitioner no.2.
Nobody is Entitled to Interfere in Life of Two Adult Individuals Living Together
Hon’ble Justice Saral Srivastava reiterated that nobody could interfere with their lives when two individuals are adults and live together.
Reliance was placed on Lats Singh vs State of UP where the Apex Court held that when individuals attain majority, they are free to live with whoever they want. If the family disapproves then the maximum they can do is to cut off ties with them but they cannot harass them. The Court also directed authorities to protect such couples and initiate criminal proceedings against people who harass them.
The Court also relied on Bhagwan Dass vs NCT of Delhi where the Supreme Court observed that young couples in love often seek shelter in police lines or shelter homes to escape the wrath of kangaroo courts. The Court also stated that there is nothing honourable about honour killings and warned everyone that if they indulged in an honour killing, gallows await them.
Directions issued by the Court
Hon’ble Court directed Superintendent of Police, Bijnor to look into the petitioner’s grievance and provide them protection, if necessary.
The Court directed Petitioner No.2 to present before the Court with a Fixed Deposit receipt of Rs. 3,00,000/- in favour of the petitioner no.1.
Next date of hearing in the case is scheduled on 08.02.2021.
Case Details:-
Title: Smt. Shaista Parveen Alias Sangeeta And Another vs State Of U.P. And 3 Others
Case No.: WRIT – C No. – 27234 of 2020
Date of Order: 06.01.2021
Coram: Hon’ble Justice Saral Srivastava
Counsel for Petitioner :- Sushil Kumar Tewari
Counsel for Respondent :- C.S.C
