Akashdeep Singh And Another vs State Of Punjab And Others

Sanjay Kumar, J

The petitioners seek a direction to the police authorities of the State of Punjab to protect their lives and liberty which are allegedly under threat from respondents No. 4 to 6, the relations of Komalpreet Kaur, the second petitioner.

Perusal of the record reflects that the second petitioner, Komalpreet Kaur, is aged 16 years as her date of birth is 25.3.2003. She is therefore a minor as on date. However, she claims to have married the first petitioner, Akashdeep Singh, and Marriage Certificate dated 7.11.2019 issued by Gurudwara Shaheed Baba Jiwan Singh, Patti Chaudhari Wala, Naushehra Pannuan, Tehsil and District Tarn Taran, is produced in evidence thereof.

As this Court does not propose to go into the merits of the matter, be it in the context of the validity of the marriage of the petitioners or the alleged threat that they perceive from the unofficial respondents, it is not necessary to put respondents No. 4 to 6 on notice or afford them an opportunity of hearing. This Court is only concerned with the prayer of the petitioners to protect their lives and liberty. The State would be under a duty to extend such protection under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Though the second petitioner, Komalpreet Kaur, is a minor, as she claims to have married the first petitioner, Akashdeep Singh, who would now be in the position of her legal guardian, this Court is of the opinion that they would be entitled to relief in this writ petition. As the petitioners are stated to have submitted representation dated 8.11.2019 to the Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural), Amritsar, Punjab, the second respondent herein, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the second respondent, the Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural), Amritsar, Punjab, to take appropriate action, as warranted, upon the said representation in accordance with law.

No order as to costs.