The fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India can be invoked to seek protection in cases of apprehension of threat to life.

JUDGMENT

Anoop Chitkara, J. - Fearing for life and liberty at the hands of the private respondent, the petitioner, invoking the fundamental right of life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, has come up before this Court seeking protection through the State.

2. Notices served upon the official respondents through the State's counsel. Given the nature of the order that this Court proposes to pass, neither the response of official respondents nor the issuance of notices to the private respondents is required.

3. If the allegations of apprehension of threat to life turn out to be true, it might lead to an irreversible loss. Thus, in the facts and circumstances peculiar to this case, it shall be appropriate that the concerned Superintendent of Police, SHO, or any officer to whom such powers have been delegated or have been authorized in this regard, provide appropriate protection to the petitioner and her minor girl for one week from today. However, if the petitioner no longer requires the protection, then at her request, it may be discontinued even before the expiry of one week. After that, the concerned officers shall extend the protection on day-to-day analysis of the ground realities or upon the oral or written request of the petitioner.

4. It is clarified that there is no adjudication on merits and that this order is not a blanket bail in any FIR. It is further clarified that this order shall not come in the way if the interrogation of the petitioner is required in any cognizable case. It shall also be open for the petitioner to approach this Court again in case of any fresh threat perception.

5. As far as representation dated 15.06.2022 (Annexure P-2) is concerned, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that he would be satisfied in case directions may be issued to respondent No.2 to decide the representation dated 15.06.2022 (Annexure P-2) by passing speaking and reasoned order within time bound manner.

6. The prayer is not opposed.

7. Given above, respondents No.2- Senior Superintendent of Police, Bathinda to decide the representation dated 15.06.2022 (Annexure P-2) by passing a speaking and reasoned order within 15 working days from today.

8. In case, the grievance of the petitioner still exists, she shall be at liberty to avail legal remedy in accordance with law including approaching this Court.

9. There would be no need for a certified copy of this order, and any Advocate for the Petitioner and State can download this order and other relevant particulars from the official web page of this court and attest it to be a true copy. The concerned officer can also verify its authenticity and may download and use the downloaded copy for immediate use.

Petition is allowed to the extent mentioned above. All pending applications, if any, stand disposed.