Couples marrying against parents’ wishes cannot claim police protection by right: Allahabad HC

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that couples who marry of their own will against the wishes of their parents cannot claim police protection as a matter of right unless there is a real threat to their life and liberty, Live Law reported on Wednesday.

Justice Saurabh Srivastava made the observation while hearing a writ petition filed by a couple who sought police protection and a direction restraining private respondents from interfering in their married life.

The court noted that there was no serious threat to the couple and disposed of their plea.

“There is no requirement of passing any order for providing police protection to them in light of judgment rendered by Hon'ble the Apex Court in the case of Lata Singh Vs. State of U.P. & Anr.…wherein it has been held that the courts are not meant to provide protection to such youths, who have simply fled to marry according to their own wishes,” the court said.

The court said it could grant security in deserving cases, but in the absence of any real threat, couples must “learn to support each other and face the society”.

The court found no evidence suggesting that the petitioners’ life and liberty were at risk.

“There is not even an iota of evidence to evince that private respondents [relatives of either of...

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