LI Network
Published on: 18 August 2023 at 19:08 IST
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has raised a significant question regarding whether a girl who chooses to marry against her parents’ wishes, and subsequently runs away, should be restricted from raising complaints of harassment for dowry demand.
Justice Alok Jain headed the bench that expressed concerns about the potential lodging of “bogus FIRs” when disputes arise between married couples.
Acknowledging the gravity of the issue, the court has issued a notice to the State and requested the respective counsel of both parties to address the raised question.
The court’s attention was drawn to a unique case wherein a girl and a boy voluntarily decided to elope and marry without facing immediate threats. However, after their marriage, they raised concerns about potential threats to their safety and liberty, without substantial evidence to support their claims.
The court’s deliberations stemmed from a plea filed by a recently married couple from Amritsar seeking police protection. The couple chose to marry at a temple located 240 kilometers away from their hometown. Notably, the couple did not report any perceived threats to the authorities after eloping from their homes.
The case in question is titled “Parneet Kaur & Anr. v. State of Punjab & Ors.”
