The court affirmed the autonomy of an adult woman to make personal choices regarding her marriage and residence, dismissing the claim of illegal detention.

(Order of the Court was made by A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA,J.)

Alleging that the petitioner's daughter aged about 21 years old, was studying third year B.Sc., in Madurai Paramedical Institute, was missing on and from 11.06.2025 and that despite registering the case in Crime No.298 of 2025 under “Woman Missing”, the respondents have not taken any action to secure the missing person, the present Habeas Corpus Petition is filed.

2.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents.

3.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondents submitted that based on the complaint given by the petitioner, a case in Crime No.298 of 2025 was registered under “Woman Missing”. During the course of investigation, the third respondent received an information that the alleged missing person went along with one Alaguramu, fourth respondent herein, and they had surrendered before Umachikulam All Woman Police Station, stating that they were in love with each other for six months and that since both the parents had objected, they have got married on 12.06.2025 at Chinnalapatty Vinayagar Kovil, Dindigul and that since they belonged two different communities, they apprehend danger from both the families and they have also requested the respondent police to give them protection.

4.When the matter is taken up for hearing today, the missing person is produced before this Court by the third respondent.

5.We enquired the alleged missing person, she submitted that she was in love with the fourth respondent, who belongs to different community and coming to know of the same, her parents had arranged marriage process with some one else against her wishes and thereby she had left the house on her own volition and that she got married the fourth respondent in Chinnalapatti Vinayagar Kovil, Dindigul and apprehending danger to their lives they have preferred a complaint to the All Women Police Station, Umachikulam, seeking for protection.

6.We enquired the petitioner also, she submitted that she is ready to take her back, however the alleged missing person refused to go along with her mother and she submitted that she is not in illegal detention.

7.Recording the aforesaid submission, finding that the missing person had expressed her unwillingness to go along with the petitioner and she is not an illegal detention of anybody and hence, this Habeas Corpus Petition stands closed. Taking note of the request of the missing person and her husband for protection, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, North Maduai City, is directed to give police protection to them.

[A.D.J.C., J.] & [R.P., J.]

23.06.2025 NCC:Yes/No Index:Yes/No Ns To

1.State of Tamil Nadu represented by, The Commissioner of Police, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City.

2.The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Thirupparankundram Range, Madurai City.

3.The Inspector of Police, Thirunagar Police Station, Madurai.