After taking her consent and wishes into consideration, Delhi High Court has provided relief to an adult woman who left her home to marry the man of her choice. The court noted that being a major, she has a free will to reside wherever she wants and with whomever she wishes.
In a habeas corpus petition moved by the family members of the said woman, seeking her production before the court, the order was passed. As per the petition, woman went missing on 12/09/2020. A suspect was identified as Babloo for her being missing from her parent’s house.
The woman was traced and was produced before the court through video conferencing. In her statements made under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, she categorically stated that she went with Babloo of her own free will and that she has married him.
Court directed concerned woman to reside with her husband babloo.
The Court further directed; “We direct the police authorities to escort her to the residence of Babloo. The police authorities shall also counsel the petitioner and the parents of Sulekha not to take the law into their hands or threaten either the woman or Babloo. The mobile phone number of the Beat Constable of the police station where the concerned woman would reside with Babloo should be provided to both Sulekha and Babloo so that they may get in touch with police officials in case of need.”
Case title: MS. PARVEEN vs. THE STATE NCT OF DELHI & ORS. [W.P. (CRL) 1729/2020]
Coram: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE VIPIN SANGHI and HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJNISH BHATNAGAR