Pinki Rani and Another Vs State of Punjab… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

Pinki Rani and Another Vs State of Punjab… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Direction to respondent No. 2 - Senior Superintendent of Police, District Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, to provide necessary protection to the petitioners after considering threat perceptions to their life and liberty and to ensure their life and liberty is not jeopardized at the hands of the private respondents; the direction expressly does not validate the marriage and leaves open any civil or criminal action in accordance with law; pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, also stand disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioners, major individuals married on 07.07.2026 who allege threats to life and liberty from private respondents (Nos. 4 and 5), are entitled to directions to official respondents Nos. 1 to 3 to ensure protection of their life and liberty and non-interference in their matrimonial life.

Court's answer

The petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No. 2 - Senior Superintendent of Police, District Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, to provide necessary protection to the petitioners after considering threat perceptions to their life and liberty, and to ensure that their life and liberty is not jeopardized at the hands of the private respondents.

Ratio / Principle

The protective direction will not validate the marriage said to have taken place between the parties and will have no effect on any civil or criminal action, which could be initiated in the matter in accordance with law.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Protection of life and liberty - Article 226 writ (CRWP-8320-2026 O&M, decided 14.07.2026) by Punjab and Haryana High Court (Virinder Aggarwal, J., oral). Petitioner couple claimed both were major and had married on 07.07.2026 (Annexure P-1); it was the second marriage of petitioner No. 1, whose first husband had expired, with two minor male children residing with respondent No. 4; threats of dire consequences were allegedly received from private respondents (Nos. 4 and 5) since the marriage, and a representation dated 07.07.2026 (Annexure P-4) to respondent No. 2 - Senior Superintendent of Police, District Muktsar Sahib went unacted upon. Disposing of the petition, the Court directed respondent No. 2 - SSP, District Muktsar Sahib, Punjab to provide necessary protection after considering threat perceptions to the petitioners' life and liberty and to ensure it is not jeopardized at the hands of the private respondents. The Court expressly clarified that the direction would not validate the marriage said to have taken place and would have no effect on any civil or criminal action capable of being initiated in accordance with law. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, stood disposed of.

1

CRWP-8320-2026 (O&M)

154

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

CRWP-8320-2026 (O&M) Date of Decision: 14.07.2026

PINKI RANI AND ANOTHER

......... Petitioners

Versus

STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS ..... Respondents

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIRINDER AGGARWAL

Present : Mr. Mazlish Khan, Advocate for the petitioners.

Mr. J.S. Rattu, DAG Punjab.

VIRINDER AGGARWAL, J. (Oral)

The present petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of directions to respondents Nos. 1 to 3 to ensure protection of the life and liberty of the petitioners from the hands of respondents No.4 to 5 and not to interfere in the matrimonial life of the petitioners.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that both the petitioners are major and have performed marriage on 07.07.2026. Copy of marriage certificate is (Annexure P-1). It is the second marriage of the petitioner No.1. The first husband of the petitioner No.1 has expired. Out of the said marriage, two male children were born and both the children are residing with respondent No.4. Ever since the marriage of the petitioners, they have been receiving threats of dire consequences from the private respondents. Resultantly, a representation dated 07.07.2026

(Annexure P-4) was also made to respondent No. 2-Senior

POONAM 2026.07.14 17:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document

2

CRWP-8320-2026 (O&M)

Superintendent of Police, District Muktsar Sahib, Punjab for protection of their lives and liberty but in vain. Learned counsel submits that he would be satisfied if directions are issued to respondent No. 2-Senior Superintendent of Police, District Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, to look into their representation and take appropriate steps at the earliest.

Notice of motion to official respondents.

Mr. J.S. Rattu, DAG Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of official respondents.

In view of above, petition is hereby disposed of with a direction to respondent No. 2-Senior Superintendent of Police, District Muktsar Sahib, Punjab to provide necessary protection to the petitioners after considering threat perceptions to their life and liberty and to ensure that the life and liberty of the petitioners is not jeopardized at the hands of the private respondents. However, this direction will not validate the marriage said to have taken place between the parties and will have no effect on any civil or criminal action, which could be initiated in the matter in accordance with law.

Pending misc. application (s), if any, shall also stand disposed of.

(VIRINDER AGGARWAL) JUDGE

14.07.2026

Poonam

Whether speaking/reasoned	Yes/No
Whether Reportable	Yes/No

POONAM 2026.07.14 17:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document