TheAllahabad High Court has said that couples who marry on their own, against their parents' wishes, cannot automatically demand police protection. The court explained that protection is only granted if there is a real threat to their lives or safety.

The ruling came while the court was deciding a case where a couple asked for protection. The court added that it can provide security in cases where there is a genuine threat, but if there is no such threat, the couple should "learn to support each other and face society."

Justice Saurabh Srivastava made these statements while hearing a petition filed by Shreya Kesarwani and her husband, who sought police protection and a court order to prevent private individuals from interfering with their marriage. The couple had married of their own will, against their parents' wishes, and wanted legal protection to ensure they could live peacefully.

After reviewing the arguments and details presented in the petition, the court decided to dismiss it. The court noted that there was no serious threat to the couple’s safety, and therefore, police protection was not warranted in this case.

The court further referred to a Supreme Court judgment in the case of Lata Singh vs. State of UP, where it was ruled that courts are not obligated to provide protection to couples who have fled to marry on their own unless there is a genuine risk to their lives and liberty.

The court also pointed out that there was no evidence or reason to believe that the petitioners’ lives or freedom were in danger. "There is no evidence to suggest that the private respondents (relatives of the petitioners) are likely to cause harm, either physically or mentally," the court said.

Alsp, the court noted that the petitioners had not filed a specific complaint with the police or requested an FIR against the alleged actions of the private respondents. However, the petitioners had submitted a representation to the superintendent of police (SP) in Chitrakoot district. In response, the court mentioned, "If the police find a real threat to the petitioners, they will take appropriate action as per the law."

The court also stated that if anyone misbehaves with the petitioners or physically harms them, both the courts and the police are there to help and protect them. In its ruling on April 4, the court dismissed the plea, stating that the petitioners cannot automatically demand police protection as a right or entitlement.

 

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