JUDGMENT

Sant Parkash, J. (Oral). - The petitioners, who are of the age of 17 years and 20 years respectively, are seeking protection of their life and liberty at the hands of the private respondents, who are none other than the immediate family members of petitioner No. 1.

2. In brief the facts as stated are, that Ms. Seema Kaur petitioner No. 1 is aged 17 years and 3 months with her date of birth being 02.02.2004 whereas Mr. Gurpal Singh petitioner No. 2 is 20 years old, with his date of birth being 20.07.2001. The parents of petitioner No. 1 wanted her to marry a person of their choice as they had come to know about her love affair with petitioner No. 2. Petitioner No. 1 left her paternal home on 17.05.2021 and went to petitioner No. 2 and since then, both of them are residing here and there. The petitioners decided to live together till such time as they could solemnise a marriage, i.e. on attaining the marriageable age. It is also stated that the relationship would never be accepted by the private respondents and both the petitioners belong to different castes. The petitioners have already approached the Senior Superintendent of Police, Bathinda vide representation dated 17.05.2