IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 27.02.2026 Aarti Rani and another ...Petitioners VERSUS State of Punjab and others ...Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VINOD S. BHARDWAJ Present :- Mr. S.K. Liberhan, Advocate for the petitioner(s).

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VINOD S. BHARDWAJ, J. (Oral)

The petitioners namely Aarti Rani and Bharat have approached this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for seeking protection of their lives and personal liberty from the private respondents.

The contention of the petitioners is that both are major, aged 19 years and 22 years respectively and they have performed inter-caste marriage against the wishes of their parents. In support thereof, copy of the Aadhaar Cards pertaining to the petitioners have been appended. The marriage of the petitioners was solemnized on 21.02.2026 at Arya Samaj Welfare Society (Regd. No. 00718), as per Hindu rites and rituals. A copy of Marriage Certificate (Annexure P-4) issued by the Purohit of the aforesaid Society has also been appended. The petitioners apprehend threat to their lives and claim that there is a constant danger of them being implicated in a false case.

Learned counsel for the petitioners states that a representation dated 23.02.2026 (Annexure P-5) has also been submitted by the petitioners to the respondent No.2- Senior Superintendent of Police, Ludhiana as well as respondent No.3-Station House Officer, Police Staton Subhash Nagar, Near Tower No.5, Ludhiana and he confines his prayer that the representation may be examined.

Notice of motion restricted to respondents No.1 to 3 only.

Pursuant to supply of advance copy, Dr. (Ms.) Savi Nagpal, AAG Punjab has appeared and accepted notice on behalf of respondents No.1 to 3. She submits that she has no objection if appropriate direction for providing requisite protection to the petitioners is given.

Having heard the counsel for the parties, the present petition is being disposed of without examining the question of legality and validity of the marriage and expressing any opinion thereon, with a direction to respondent No.3-Station House Officer, Police Staton Subhash Nagar, Near Tower No.5, Ludhiana to look into the grievances of the petitioners as set out in the petition and also expressed in the representation dated 23.02.2026 (Annexure P-5) and take appropriate action for protection of their lives and liberty as may be warranted by the circumstances.

However, it is clarified that in case any criminal case has been/is registered against the petitioners, nothing in this order shall be construed as a bar for taking appropriate action by the police authorities in respect thereof in accordance with law.

The Registry is directed to send a copy of this order along with copy of the petition and above-said representation to respondent No.3- Station House Officer, Police Staton Subhash Nagar, Near Tower No.5, Ludhiana for requisite compliance.

Disposed of.

(VINOD S. BHARDWAJ)

27.02.2026 JUDGE Mangal Singh