The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Rajasthan High Court order allowing the parents of a woman in an inter-caste marriage to meet her despite her apprehension of an honour killing.
A Bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Arun Palli passed the order on an application moved by the couple, who had earlier secured protection from the Supreme Court after they claimed that they were facing threats from the woman’s family.
During today's hearing, a counsel submitted that the Rajasthan High Court’s intention was only to facilitate a meeting between the woman and her family and not to dilute the Supreme Court’s earlier order protecting the couple.
The Bench, however, was not persuaded.
“We should not encourage these types of regressive elements. They are hounding the couple out there. This is not proper,” the Court observed.
The Court issued notice in the matter and ordered that the Rajasthan High Court’s order would remain stayed.
The case traces back to March this year when the couple solemnised an inter-caste marriage in Delhi. Their marriage was registered on March 23.
According to the couple, the woman’s family opposed the marriage and began threatening them after learning about it. They further alleged that a missing person report was lodged in Rajasthan to create pressure on them and interfere with their marital life.
Apprehending threats to their lives, including the possibility of an honour killing, the couple directly approached the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking protection.
On April 30, a Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan closed their writ petition after recording an assurance from the Uttar Pradesh authorities that adequate protection would be provided to them at their matrimonial home in Baghpat, where they were residing after the marriage.
Despite that order, the woman’s relatives subsequently approached the Rajasthan High Court by filing a habeas corpus petition.
The couple then returned to the Supreme Court, contending that the High Court’s order in the matter had opened the door for further interference despite the protection already granted by the top court.
During today’s hearing, the couple's counsel also complained that Rajasthan Police personnel continued to remain outside their residence.
“I have been protected. But Rajasthan police is sitting at my home.. They are even visiting all my relatives,” counsel submitted.
After the Court took exception to this, the Rajasthan government's counsel assured the Bench that the police will no longer visit the couple. The said statement was also recorded by the Court today in its order.
The couple was represented by advocates Poornima Singh and Pradeep Kumar Arya.