IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-W-940-2025 in/and CRWP-7189-2025 DECIDED ON: 08.07.2025 MONIKA AND ANOTHER .....PETITIONERS VERSUS STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS .....RESPONDENTS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP MOUDGIL Present: Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Advocate for the petitioners.

SANDEEP MOUDGIL, J (ORAL)

1. This is a Criminal Writ Petition under Article 226/227 of Constitution of India for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents No. 2 and 3 to protect the life and liberty of the Petitioners who are residing under live in relationship, from the hands of private respondents i.e No.5 to 12 to not to harass or interfere in the personal liberty of petitioners.

2. Factual matrix of the case unfolds that Petitioner no.1 is a major and her date of birth is 22.09.2025 and Petitioner no.2 is 18 years of age and his date of birth is 18.10.2006.(Annexure P-1 and P-2 respectively). Both are in relation with each other since past few years and petitioner no.2 is taking care of needs of petitioner no.1. Parents of petitioner no.1 pressurised her to marry an old person of their own caste, however Petitioner no.1 is in love with petitioner no.2 so petitioner no.1 left her house few days ago and came to the house of petitioner no.2 wherein he is working as a labourer and they are planning to marry in near future with each other. So, they are residing in a live-in relationship with their own free will however, parents of petitioner no.1 are harassing them and pressurising her to leave the company of Petitioner no.2.

3. Counsel for the petitioners contends that now, the Respondents no.5 to 12 are behind the petitioners and they are trying to eliminate the petitioners for which Petitioner no.1 and 2 had moved a representation on 03.07.2025 to respondent no.2 with regard to protection of life and liberty. (Annexure P-3) and now the petitioners are left with no remedy except to approach the Hon’ble court as they are afraid that they will be eliminated by private respondents no. 5 to 12.

4. Heard counsel for the petitioners.

5. Considering the aforesaid submissions, this court is of the view that India is recognized for its democratic administration and domestic framework. India is a country with a diverse set of principles traditions, rituals, and beliefs that serve as essential legal sources. Marriage is a holy relationship with legal consequences and great social esteem. Our country, with its deep cultural origins, places a significant emphasis on morals and ethical reasoning. However, as time has passed, we have begun to adopt Western culture, which is vastly different from Indian culture. A portion of India appears to have adopted Modern lifestyle, namely, the live- in relationship.

6. Under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution each and every individual has a right to live with peace, dignity and honour, therefore, by allowing such type of petitions we are encouraging the wrongdoers. Moreover, every person has a right to have his reputation preserved. It is a jus in rem, a right good against all in the world. Article 21 of the Constitution of India places Fundamental Rights on a much higher pedestal. It must be preserved since it is sacred under the Constitutional Scheme. The concept of right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India includes the right to live with dignity and the petitioners by running away from their parental home is not only bringing bad name to the family but also is violating the right of the parents to live with dignity and honour. Further dependence can be made upon the Apex Court judgment in “National Legal Services Authority vs. Union of India”, (2014) 5 SCC 438, wherein it has been held as under:-

“106. The basic principle of the dignity and freedom of the individual is common to all nations, particularly those having democratic set-up. Democracy requires us to respect and develop the free spirit of human being which is responsible