Jamna Patidar vs State of Rajasthan

This petition for writ is preferred by Smt. Jamna Patidar W/o. Shri Kantilal Patidar, R/o. Manpur, Tehsil & District Dungarpur to have a writ in the nature of habeas corpus for the respondents to produce alleged detenue Ms. Ritu (daughter of the petitioner) before this Court.

As per the averments contained in the petition for writ, Ms. Ritu Patidar is student of B.Sc Ist Year at MB College, Dungarpur. On 9.12.2013 she went to the College but did not return. An FIR, thus, was lodged at Police Station, Sadar, Dungarpur. In the FIR itself an apprehension was disclosed about abduction of Ms. Ritu by respondent No. 5 Shri Ashfaq. On being failed to get any positive result of the investigation initiated in pursuant to the FIR referred above, this habeas corpus petition was presented before this Court on 22.1.2014.

On 07.2.2014, Learned Government Advocate disclosed that as a matter of fact a criminal misc. petition as per provisions of Section 482 Cr. P.C. was filed by Ms. Ritu Patidar seeking necessary protection from her parents as they were creating hindrance in her regular studies. It was also stated that Shri Aashfaq also approached this Court by way of filing S.B. Criminal Misc. Petition No. 122/2014 to get the FIR that was filed at the instance of Smt. Jamna (the present petitioner) quashed. Suffice to mention that in S.B. Criminal Misc. Petition No. 2978/2013 while issuing notices to the respondents, the learned Public Prosecutor was directed to procure factual report. Accordingly, the same was submitted.

Be that as it may, on 10.2.2014 Ms. Ritu Patidar appeared before the Court at her own and stated that she was not at all abducted by any person but she left her parental house voluntarily looking to the pressure exerted by her parents to enter into wedlock by discontinuing the studies.

Having considered all facts and circumstances of the case, this Court issued certain directions on 10.2.2014 in the following terms:-

(1) The Collector, Udaipur shall get Ms. Ritu admitted in B.Sc Ist Year Course at Meera Girls Government College, Udaipur and further to make all necessary arrangement for her lodging and boarding at Meera Girls Government College hostel, Udaipur. He shall be at liberty to lodge Ms. Ritu at some other Government Hostel, if adequate space is not available at the Hostel of Meera Girls Government College, Udaipur.

(2) The Superintendent of Police, Udaipur is directed to provide all necessary security to Ms. Ritu and ensure her protection till she remains in Udaipur at Meera Girls Government College Hostel or at any other place in the city.

(3) The Deputy Secretary, District Legal Service Authority, Udaipur is directed to provide a subsistence allowance in the tune of Rs. 500/- per month to Ms. Ritu Patidar within a week from today from the account of District Legal Service Authority, Udaipur.

(4) The Deputy Secretary, District Legal Service Authority shall also look after other welfare of Ms. Ritu and submit his report in this regard periodically to this Court.

(5) The Commissioner of Police, Jodhpur is directed to provide necessary protection to Ms. Ritu Patidat during her transit from Jodhpur to Udaipur.

In compliance of the directions given, Ms. Ritu Patidar was lodged at Government Hostel and she was also admitted to a graduation course at Meera Kanya Mahavidhyalaya, Udaipur. It is informed to us that Ms. Ritu Patidar has already appeared in the examination concern and she is still residing at Government Hostel.

An application has been filed by the petitioner with the assertion that her daughter Ms. Ritu Patidar is residing at Government Hostel alone, as such, she need a parental company and for that purpose she may be allowed to move for her parental house.

Having considered the averments contained in the application, this Court on 28.5.2014 directed Chief Judicial Magistrate, Udaipur to get a statement of Ms. Ritu Patidar recorded in relation to her present status. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Udaipur was kept at liberty to assign the task of recording statement by any other Judicial Magistrate within his jurisdiction.

Pursuant to the direction aforesaid, the Special Addl. Chief Judicial Magistrate, P.C.P.N.D.T. Act Cases, Udaipur recorded statements of Ms. Ritu Patidar on 29.5.2014, that reads as under:-

Today, an affidavit has been filed by the petitioner Smt. Jamna Patidar with a definite statement that she will allow her daughter Ms. Ritu Patidar to stay at Udaipur and she will bear her all necessary expenses. It is also stated that no effort shall be made to pursue Ms. Ritu Patidar to stay with her parents.

Having considered the statement made by Ms. Ritu Patidar and also the statement made by the present petitioner by way of filing an Additional Affidavit, we deem it appropriate to direct that Ms. Ritu Patidar be left at liberty to move as per her free will and wishes. If she desired to stay at a separate place, then the petitioner may provide necessary assistance to her as per the statement made in the Additional Affidavit filed today.

The writ petition stands disposed of accordingly.