Adult daughter's autonomy in consensual relationship and independent living upheld in habeas corpus petition.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.I.Javid Akbar For Respondents : Mr.R.Muniyapparaj Additional Public Prosecutor assisted by Mr.N.Narkeeran for R1 to R4 ORDER (Made by Dr. ANITA SUMANTH, J.)

The father of one Ramya Sree (absentee) has instituted this petition as he is aggrieved by his daughter’s disappearance from the house from 31.03.2026 onwards. He had apprehended, based on information received by him, that she had been abducted by R5 and R6.

2. We had issued notices on the date when the matter was listed for admission and directed the authorities to act on the complaint of the petitioner to secure his daughter.

3. Today, the petitioner, the absentee and R5 are in the Court. We have nothing to say in regard to the relationship, if any, between the absentee and R5 though it is evident that there are in a consensual relationship together. There is no dispute in regard to the age of the absentee, and her date of birth is 14.09.2007. She has conversed with her father in the Court room. Per our conversation with her, her family appears to be making arrangements for her marriage with a boy in their community which she is not in favour of. We leave it to the parties, all of whom are adults, to work out their personal arrangements inter se, in an amicable manner.

4. Since the absentee says that she would prefer to live outside of her paternal home, we record the same. She is now studying the first year of the B.Com., and wishes to complete the same with her own resources. Let her ID card and other college materials be given to her to ensure that she complete the course.

5. As nothing further survives for our adjudication, this habeas corpus petition is closed. No costs.