A Vacation bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Surya Kant, on Monday, issued notice to the Central Government and the Rajasthan Government and directed them to provide protection to an inter-caste married couple from the threat of their family members. Notice was issued to the Centre and Rajasthan Government, the Court ordered, “We direct respondent Nos.2 to 6 not to take any coercive action against the petitioners and in case of any requirement, adequate security be provided to the petitioners.”
Prior facts
A married couple, hailing from Jaipur, approached the Apex Court with a plea claiming protection from their family members, who the couple alleged were against their inter-caste marriage and as a result hostile towards them. The man and woman, aged 32 and 26 respectively, claimed that they got married on February 28th at a temple in Delhi. Before approaching the Supreme Court, the wife had already filed a complaint to the Station House Officer, Police Station, Jyoti Nagar, Jaipur Metropolitian, Jaipur seeking police protection from their family members. Fearing that there might be threat to their limb and life, the couple took shelter in the National Capital and approached the Supreme Court for protection.
Key features
- The Couple contended that “right to choice” is recognized under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution and such rights cannot be succumbed to caste honour and group thinking.
- The Supreme Court issued notice to the Central Government and the State Government.
- Both the Governments are directed by the Court to provide protection to an inter-caste married couple from the threat of their family members.
The SC’s order
The petitioners opened the arguments contended that, “when two adults consensually choose each other as life partner, it is a manifestation of their choice, recognized under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution. Such right has Constitutional sanctions and thus needs protection and cannot succumb to class honour and group thinking.”
In view of the above the vacation bench of the Supreme Court, comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Surya Kant, on Monday, issued notice to the Central Government and the Rajasthan Government and directed them to provide protection to an inter-caste married couple from the threat of their family members. The bench stated, “We direct respondent Nos.2 to 6 not to take any coercive action against the petitioners and in case of any requirement, adequate security be provided to the petitioners.”
Edited by J. Madonna Jephi
Approved & Published – Sakshi Raje
Reference
1. Ankit Suklecha & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors., Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 9632 of 2020.
