Allahabad HC: No police protection for couples marrying against parents’ wishes

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday ruled that couples are not entitled to police protection if they marry against their parents’ wishes.

The decision was made reportedly by Justice Saurabh Srivastava while hearing a writ petition filed by Shreya Kesarwani and her husband, who sought police protection and a directive to prevent interference from private respondents in their marital life.

As per reports, while disposing of the petition, the court observed that there was no need to issue any order for police protection.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Lata Singh vs State of UP and another Justice Srivastava observed that courts are not obligated to provide protection to individuals who have eloped simply to marry according to their own wishes.

The court further noted that there was no material or evidence to suggest that the petitioners’ life or liberty was under any immediate threat.

The court emphasised that security could be granted in deserving cases; however, in the absence of a clear death threat perception, such couples must “learn to support each other and face society.”

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