(1.) PETITIONER is a doctor by profession, who is now working as Medical Officer in the District Hospital, Wadakkanchery. According to him, while working in the Elite Mission Hospital, Koorkancherry, he got acquainted with Ms. Greeshma Ullas (hereinafter referred to as the detenue for short) a doctor, who was then working in the hospital as a Resident Medical Officer. The relationship developed into a love affair and they decided to get married. However, this was not approved by the first respondent, the father of the detenue and that thereupon, the first respondent kept her in illegal detention, without even allowing her to report for work or to appear for the post -graduate entrance examinations. It is stated that finally he received Ext. P -1 letter from the detenue informing him about the illegal confinement and that her life is in peril. Thereupon this writ petition was filed seeking a writ of habeas corpus for the production of the detenue and to set her at liberty.
(2.) THIS Court admitted the writ petition and notice was issued to the respondents. In response, the first respondent, the father of the detenue, produced her before us on 31 -1 -2014. We interacted with her in detail and were prima facie satisfied that there is truth in the allegations of the petitioner. The outcome of our interaction with her was recorded in our order dated 31 -1 -2014, and the relevant part of it is extracted for easy reference;
(3.) SUBSEQUENTLY , the first respondent filed his counter -affidavit, denying the allegation that he was illegally detaining the detenue and pleading that whatever he has done was for the welfare and well -being of his daughter and in exercise of his parental authority. He has averred in the affidavit thus;