The Delhi High Court has held that family disapproval cannot curb the freedom of two consenting adults to choose each other as life partners. The Court also directed the Delhi Police to provide protection to a couple who eloped and married against the wishes of the woman’s family.
Justice Sanjeev Narula, while hearing the case Prince Tyagi and Anr v. State of NCT of Delhi and Ors, observed:
“The right of two consenting adults to choose each other as life partners and to live together in peace is a facet of their personal liberty, privacy, and dignity protected under Article 21. Family disapproval cannot curtail that autonomy. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed this position and directed the police to safeguard such couples from intimidation or harm.”
The married couple approached the Court claiming they were receiving life threats through messages, phone calls, and video calls from the woman’s family members. A missing person complaint had also been filed by her family. However, a preliminary police enquiry confirmed that she had voluntarily left her parental home and married the petitioner.
Taking note of their apprehensions, the Court directed the Delhi Police to ensure their safety by designating beat officers to monitor their protection. The Court ordered that the concerned SHO must furnish the couple with the mobile numbers of the beat officer and the police station’s 24×7 contact. Any complaint of threat must be promptly recorded in the Daily Diary (DD) and immediate assistance extended.
The Court further directed the petitioners’ counsel to provide their current place of residence and contact details to the Investigating Officer for coordination.
Advocates Anjaneya Mishra, Nidish Gupta, Sahil, and Abhishek Shukla appeared for the couple, while Special Counsel Rahul Tyagi, along with Advocates Sangeet Sibou, Priyansh Raj Singh Senger, and Aniket Kumar Singh, represented the State.
Case: Prince Tyagi And Anr vs State of NCT of Delhi And Ors – Available on LAWFYI.IO
