LI Network
Published on: 25 August 2023 at 11:33 IST
The Delhi High Court has recently issued an order directing counseling for the parents of a 22-year-old lesbian woman to facilitate their acceptance of their daughter’s wishes.
The order specified, “Furthermore, the parents of ****** are also directed to receive counseling on alternate days to help them support ****** in accordance with her desires. The parents and maternal uncle are required to attend the counseling session at the Shakti Shalini Shelter Home on 23.08.2023 at 11:00 am. They will be counseled by the Director, and if they require additional counseling, subsequent sessions will be arranged on alternate days.”
The Court’s decision was based on information provided by the woman’s partner, who revealed that her parents were opposed to their relationship and had forcefully removed her.
The woman and her parents were present in the Court on the designated day. The judges engaged with each party separately and in a joint conversation within their chamber.
The woman firmly expressed her refusal to accompany her parents or any relatives, indicating her preference to be with her 23-year-old partner or at the shelter home.
Conversely, her parents agreed to have her sent to the shelter home “to contemplate her future and introspect.”
Accordingly, the Court directed her placement in the shelter and ordered counseling for her. Additionally, the Court cautioned her parents and relatives against exerting any form of pressure or threat upon her or her partner.
The Bench further instructed the Director of Shakti Shalini Shelter Home to submit a status report and scheduled the next hearing for August 29.
