RAMANDEEP Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present Criminal Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for directing respondents no.2 and 3 to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that petitioner no.1 was born on 6/6/2003 and petitioner no.2 was born on 29/10/2002. Reliance has been placed upon the Aadhaar Cards (Annexures P-1 and P-2). It is submitted that although the petitioners are major but petitioner no.1 is not of marriageable age. It is the case of the petitioners that they are unmarried and are living in a 'Live in Relationship' out of their free will and without any pressure. It is further submitted that the petitioners have given a detailed representation dtd. 26/3/2024 (Annexure P-3) to respondent No.2- Senior Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur as they are apprehending harm to their life and liberty and have, thus, sought protection.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioners has relied upon the judgment passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in case Jashanpreet Kaur and another Vs. State of Punjab and others, reported as 2019(4) RCR (Civil) 183, in which case although, girl therein was aged about 15 years and 8 months and boy was aged about 19 years and 3 months, yet the Coordinate Bench after considering the provisions of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, was pleased to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners therein. The relevant portions of the said judgment is reproduced hereinbelow:-