Delhi HC grants police protection to same sex interfaith couple alleging threats from kin

The couple approached the HC through the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (legal aid).

Justice Bhatnagar directed the Delhi Police to provide the couple with numbers of the beat constables as well as SHO concerned. “In case of distress, they may call the two numbers and their calls will be attended to promptly,” the HC ordered.

“In case there is any change of address, the petitioners may inform the concerned SHO, who will then inform the concerned SHO in whose jurisdiction they will be taking up the rental accommodation,” the HC further said.

In the plea, the couple sought police protection from the family of the Hindu partner (petitioner no.1). The plea further seeks protection for the family of the Muslim partner (petitioner no.2). Advocates Shristi Borthakur and Ritika Meena also appeared for the couple.

The plea alleges instances of physical and mental violence against the couple and family members of petitioner no.2, as well as an attempt to “force” petitioner no. 1 to “marry another man against her free will”.

The couple has claimed petitioner no.1 was taken away to another place to separate them. The plea alleges petitioner no.1 was threatened that her partner and her family will be killed/harmed if their relationship continued. Family members of petitioner no. 1 have also made accusations of religious conversion and prostitution against petitioner no.2, while objecting to the relationship, the plea alleges.

According to the plea, petitioner no.1. was brought to a shelter home by intervention of the Delhi Commission for Women and presently both petitioners are at the shelter home.