IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Decided on: 23.03.2026 ARTI AND ANOTHER …...Petitioners Versus STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA Present: Mr. Abhishek Pundir, Advocate with Mr. Mohan Singh Rana, Advocate for the petitioners.

Mr. Karan Veer Singh, Sr. DAG, Haryana.

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SUBHAS MEHLA, J. (Oral)

The prayer in the instant criminal writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India read with Section 528 of BNSS seeking writ in the nature of mandamus directing to official respondent(s) to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners at the hands of private respondents and to restrict them from harassing and interfering in their married life.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioners contended that both the petitioners are major and have solemnized their marriage on 21.03.2026 and in support thereof, have annexed marriage certificate (Annexure P-3) in this regard. It is further contended that the petitioners have been receiving threats from the private respondents. While drawing the attention of this Court to representation dated 21.03.2026 (Annexure P-

5), learned counsel has submitted that the matter was reported to respondent No.2- Superintendent of Police, Kurukshetra, Haryana, seeking police protection, however, it went in vain. Learned counsel further submitted that the petitioners would be satisfied if directions are issued to respondent No.2 to look into the aforesaid representation and take appropriate steps at the earliest.

3. Notice of motion.

4. In pursuance of advance notice, Mr. Karan Veer Singh, Sr.

DAG, Haryana, accepts notice on behalf of respondent-State.

5. In this regard, this Court has already given the directions in ‘Asha and another vs. State of Haryana and others’, 2012 SCC Online P&H 12746 and in compliance of the same, the State Government had taken steps to protect the life and liberty of run away couple.

6. Apart from that the State of Haryana vide notification dated 17.02.2025 also notified the SOPs for the protection of life and liberty of the petitioners in similar situations, in compliance of the Criminal Writ Petition No.12562 of 2023 titled as “Kajal Vs. State of Haryana and others”.

7. In the light of the above directions, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.2- Superintendent of Police, Kurukshetra, Haryana, to consider the representation dated 21.03.2026 (Annexure P-5) and to assess the threat perception to the petitioners and after considering the same, respondent No.2 shall take appropriate action in accordance with law.

8. Disposed of.

(SUBHAS MEHLA)

JUDGE

23.03.2026

Sonia Puri