REENA DEVI Vs. UT OF J&K

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners seek a direction to respondents 1 to 4 to provide them the police protection as they apprehend danger to their lives from respondent Nos. 5 & 6, who are parents of petitioner No.1. It is submitted that the petitioners are major and out of their free will, they got married. Copy of marriage certificate issued by the Arya Samaj has been placed on record. They submit that since they have contracted the marriage against the wishes of respondent Nos. 5 & 6, as such, they are facing harassment at their hands.

(2.) The petitioners have relied upon Date of Birth certificates issued by J& K Board of School Education wherein their respective date of births have been shown as 15.04.2003 and 22.01.1997. It, therefore, appears that both the petitioners are major and capable of solemnizing marriage as per their own will and volition.

(3.) Learned counsel for the petitioners refers to the decision of the Supreme Court in Lata Singh v. State of U.P and anr, 2006 (5) SCC 475, and submits that in the absence of there being any legal impediment, the petitioners are entitled to marry according to their choice and the official respondents are duty bound to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners.