Jammu and Kashmir High Court directs police to protect woman fearing forcible marriage

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court recently ordered the police to ensure the safety of a woman who apprehended harm after being threatened with a forced marriage.

The Court directed the police to ensure that the woman “is not subjected to any harm in any manner whatsoever” in connection with the alleged attempt to forcibly marry her to a man, whose family allegedly had threatened to forcibly take her away.

Justice Rahul Bharti issued the directions to the Senior Superintendent of Police of Poonch and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Mendhar.

"In case the petitioner would reckon that she is being subjected to threats and harassment at the end of the respondents No. 4 to 10 then the petitioner shall be entitled to approach the respondent No. 2-Senior Superintendent of Police-(SSP), Poonch with a complaint who shall then be duty bound to immediately enquire into the matter and ensure safety and security of the person of the petitioner," the Court said.

The woman had approached the Court through her elder sister in 2023 when she was only 17 years old.

Advocates Rushda Choudhary and Arshad Majid Malik represented the petitioner.

Nazia Fazal, Assisting Counsel to Senior Additional Advocate General (AAG), Monika Kohli, appeared for the State.

[Read Order]