Delhi High Court grants police protection to same-sex interfaith couple facing threats from family members

The Delhi High Court Friday granted police protection to a same-sex interfaith couple (petitioners) apprehending threats from the family members of the one of the petitioners.

Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar ordered the local Station House Officer (SHO) and beat constable to provide their contacts to the couple and respond immediately in case a distress call is made.

The Court further said that in case the couple takes a rental accommodation in the jurisdiction of any other police station, the SHO must inform the police authorities of that area and provide their address so that they can be granted protection.

Advocate Arundhati Katju appeared for the couple and stated that one of the petitioners is a Hindu and and other is Muslim.

The two are above the age of 18 years and want to stay together but they are facing threats from the family members of the Hindu girl, Katju said.

She further said that the protection is needed for the couple as well as the members of the Muslim girl's family.

According to the petitioners, the Hindu girl's family is against their relationship and tried to marry her to a boy against her wishes. The girl was forcibly taken to Uttar Pradesh and was recovered only after the intervention of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

The family levelled allegations of conversion against the Muslim girl.

The couple, at present, is stated to be residing at a shelter home in Delhi.

The couple had approached the Court through the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (DHCLSC). Advocates Arundhati Katju, Shristi Borthakur and Ritika Meena appeared for them.