Simranjeet Kaur and Another Vs State of… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2025)

Simranjeet Kaur and Another Vs State of… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Directions to respondent No.2, Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, to look into the petitioners' grievances and take appropriate action for protection of their lives and liberty; Registry directed to send a copy of the order, petition and representation dated 08.04.2025 to respondent No.2 for requisite compliance.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioners are entitled to protection of their lives and personal liberty from the private respondents No.4 to 6. +1 more

Court's answer

The petition is disposed of with directions to respondent No.2, Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, to look into the petitioners' grievances as set out in the petition and in the representation dated 08.04.2025 (Annexure P-5), and to take appropriate action for protection of their lives and liberty as warranted by circumstances.

Ratio / Principle

Nothing in the order shall bar the police authorities from taking appropriate action in accordance with law in respect of any criminal case registered or to be registered against the petitioners.

Key takeaways

The Court expressly did not examine the legality and validity of the petitioners' marriage and expressed no opinion thereon, leaving that question open.obiter¶22

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Protection-of-life-and-liberty writ under Article 226 by two petitioners (majors, aged 24 and 27 years) who performed marriage against their parents' wishes on 08.04.2025 at Pashupati Nath Shiv Mandir, Panchkula, and apprehended threat to life and implication in a false criminal case from private respondents No.4 to 6. Vinod S. Bhardwaj, J., without examining the legality or validity of the marriage and expressing no opinion thereon, disposed of the petition directing respondent No.2, Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, to look into the petitioners' grievances (including their representation dated 08.04.2025, Annexure P-5) and take appropriate action for protection of their lives and liberty, while clarifying that the order shall not bar lawful police action in respect of any criminal case registered against the petitioners.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

111

CRWP-3707-2025 (O&M) Date of decision: 11.04.2025

Simranjeet Kaur and another ...Petitioners

VERSUS

State of Punjab and others

...Respondents

CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VINOD S. BHARDWAJ

Present :- Mr. N.S. Gill, Advocate for the petitioner(s).

VINOD S. BHARDWAJ, J. (Oral)

The petitioners namely Simranjeet Kaur and Kulwinder Singh have approached this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for seeking protection of their lives and personal liberty from private respondents No.4 to 6.

The contention of the petitioners is that both are major, aged 24 years and 27 years respectively and they have performed marriage against the wishes of their parents. In support thereof, copy of the Aadhaar Cards pertaining to the petitioners have been appended. The marriage of the petitioners was solemnized on 08.04.2025 at Pashupati Nath Shiv Mandir, MDC, Sector-6, Panchkula as per Hindu Vedic Rites and rituals. Copies of Marriage Certificate (Annexure 3) issued by the Pandit of the aforesaid Mandir and photographs (Annexure P-4) have also been appended. The petitioners apprehend threat to their lives and claim that there is a constant danger of them being implicated in a false case.

Notice of motion restricted to respondents No.1 to 3 only.

MANGAL SINGH 2025.04.11 14:46 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

2

111

CRWP-3707-2025 (O&M)

Pursuant to supply of advance copy, Mr. Brijesh, AAG Punjab has appeared and accepted notice on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3.

Learned counsel for the petitioners states that a representation dated 08.04.2025 (Annexure P-5) has also been submitted by the petitioners to the respondent No.2- Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala.

Learned State counsel has no objection if appropriate direction for providing requisite protection to the petitioners is given.

Without examining the question of legality and validity of the marriage and expressing any opinion thereon, the petition is disposed of with the directions to respondent No.2- Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala to look into the grievances of the petitioners as set out in the petition and also expressed in the representation dated 08.04.2025 (Annexure P-5) and take appropriate action for protection of their lives and liberty as may be warranted by the circumstances.

However, it is clarified that in case any criminal case has been/is registered against the petitioners, nothing in this order shall be construed as a bar for taking appropriate action by the police authorities in respect thereof in accordance with law.

The Registry is directed to send a copy of this order along with copy of the petition and above-said representation to respondent No.2Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala for requisite compliance.

(VINOD S. BHARDWAJ)

11.04.2025 JUDGE Mangal Singh Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No

MANGAL SINGH 2025.04.11 14:46 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document