A Delhi Sessions Court has asked the superintendent of a childrens welfare home to explain why a woman was released from their custody to her father,who had been threatening to kill her for marrying against his wishes. Additional Sessions Judge Kamini Lau also ordered the womans father detained after police submitted that she could not be found,and expressed the fear that something drastic could have happened to her. The court was hearing a case registered against one Prem Raj,based on a complaint from the womans father. The father had allegedly kidnapped his daughter,then claimed to be 15 years old,in February last year. However,a month later,the woman contacted the police and told them that she was actually 20 years old,and competent to make her own decisions. She said she had known Prem Raj for two years,and they had already tied the knot in a temple. She claimed that her parents had been threatening her as well as her in-laws since then. In the same month,Raj surrendered before a magistrates court and was taken into police custody. The woman also surrendered at the police station,and was taken to the BJRM hospital for a medical examination. After doctors estimated her age to be anywhere between 18-19 years,she registered a statement with a magistrate,stating that she was in love with Raj but her parents were not willing to come to terms with their marriage. The woman said she did not want to go back to her parents because they were threatening to kill her. Following this,the woman was admitted to a welfare home. However,police recently said the welfare home had released the woman to her father,who was not divulging any information on her whereabouts. ASJ Lau issued a non-bailable warrant for the father,and had him detained. However,despite being questioned,he refused to give in. According to police,the womans in-laws suspect that she has been married off to somebody else. The judge has now remanded the father in civil prison until she can be traced by police. The superintendent of the welfare home,located on Jail Road,West Delhi,has also been asked to explain why the woman was released to her father.
