The court can issue a writ of mandamus to compel public authorities to perform their legal duty, such as providing protection and security to individuals in need.

JUDGMENT

Ramesh Chandra Khulbe, J. - In this petition, petitioners have prayed for the following relief(s): -

i) An appropriate writ, order of direction in the nature of Mandamus commanding the Respondent No. 1 to 3 to provide proper and adequate protection and security to the life and liberty of the Petitioners from private Respondent and other persons associated with him.

ii) A writ, order or direction in the nature of mandamus commanding the private Respondents not to interfere in the peaceful life of the Petitioners.

2. In the present case, both the petitioners belong to the same faith and are major. Both the petitioners were in love and they wanted to marry each other. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners have already made a representation before the S.S.P, District Udham Singh Nagar-respondent no.2 for protecting their lives, a copy whereof is enclosed as Annexure No.2 to this Writ Petition, but nothing has been done as yet. Having been left with no other remedy, the petitioners have filed the present Writ Petition.

3. In that view of the matter, we hereby dispose of the Writ Petition by directing the S.S.P, District Udham Singh Nagar-respondent no.2 to take a decision on the representation of the petitioner (Annexure No.2) within 30 days from today. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Udham Singh Nagar shall take information and intelligence from the SHO, Police Station Sitarganj, District Udham Singh Nagar-respondent no.3 during the course of action whether further police protection is required or not. In the interregnum, the SHO, Police Station Sitarganj, District Udham Singh Nagar-respondent no.3 shall provide necessary police protection for protecting the lives and liberty of the petitioners.

4. Let a free copy of this order be immediately handed over to Mr. Rakesh Joshi, the learned Brief Holder for the State of Uttarakhand, for early compliance.

5. The Writ Petition is, hereby, disposed of.

6. In sequel thereto, all pending applications stand disposed of.

7. Urgent copy of this order be supplied to the learned counsel for the parties during the course of the day, as per Rules.