‘Must protect liberty even in absence of valid marriage’: Punjab and Haryana High Court shields runaway couple

The counsel for the petitioners had argued that the couple are major and are residing together in a live-in relationship, but they apprehend threat to their life and liberty from their relatives.

The court was informed that the matter was reported to the senior superintendent of police for police protection, but nothing happened.

The counsel for the state while accepting the notice on behalf of the state submitted that the competent authority will take action in accordance with law.

Disposing of the case, the court directed the police to take necessary steps while referring to the decision in a matter decided in September, 2024, in which protection was granted “qua the life and liberty of adults, who were in a live-in relationship, in order to protect them from threats arising from moral vigilantes or from close relative of any of them”.

The court made it clear that if the petitioners commit any offence, the order will not create any embargo or impediment to take appropriate action.

“However, it is made clear that if the petitioners commit any offence against the State or any person, this order shall not create any embargo or impediment to take appropriate action in accordance with law,” the court said.

‘High Court best forum’

The Indian Express had spoken to advocate Utkarsh Singh, who specialises in such cases, to understand whether in such cases the couple can move the trial court or it has to go to the constitutional court only.

Singh said here the question is- whether the live-in couple is intending to marry.

“If they say that they are living together and they are seeking an order of protection against society, and they have an intent to marry, then the high court is the best possible forum to go and seek protection,” Singh said.