19-year-old woman, 67-year-old man approach Punjab & Haryana High Court for police protection, court orders probe into their marriage

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Superintendent of Police, Palwal to investigate the circumstances of a marriage solemnized between a 19-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man (Sanjida vs. State of Haryana).The issue came to the notice of the Court after the man and woman themselves moved the Court seeking police protection against their relatives who they alleged were harassing them."It is a shocking case where the protection is being sought by two petitioners i.e. petitioner No.1 being a girl of 19 years of age and petitioner No.2 being a man of the age of 67 years and they are stated to have married each other," the Court opined.Prima facie there is some suspicion with regard to the aforesaid marriage and the possibility of forced marriage can also be not ruled out, the Court added while ordering a probe into the marriage and the background of the man..The order was passed by Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri after the couple moved the Court alleging that they are being harassed by their families and sought directions to the Police for protection of their life and liberty as well as their peaceful enjoyment of married life..However, the Court found the age gap between the two Petitioners to be shocking and expressed some concerns regarding the possibility of a forced marriage."It is not clear from the pleadings or from the arguments raised by the learned counsel for the petitioners as to whether petitioner No.2 has solemnized his first marriage or multiple marriages or under what circumstances a girl of 19 years of age had got married with an old man of 67 years of age," the Court noted..It, therefore, ordered the Superintendent of Police, Palwal to depute a team of police officials including lady officials on the very same day to ensure the woman's safety..The Court also found the pleadings and arguments advanced unclear as to whether the man had solemnized his first marriage or multiple marriages or under what circumstances a girl of 19 years of age had got married with an old man of 67 years of age..Considering this, the police team was also ordered to enquire into the entire matter, not only with the present marriage but also with regard to the background of the man..Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri directed that the entire exercise must be concluded within a week’s time and listed the case for further hearing on August 10..[Read Order]