IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 08.04.2026 PREETY AND ANOTHER ......Petitioners VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS .......Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VINOD S. BHARDWAJ *****

Present: - Mr. Umesh Sharma, Advocate for the petitioners.

Dr. (Ms.) Savi Nagpal, Asst. A.G. Punjab.

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VINOD S. BHARDWAJ, J. (Oral)

1. The petitioners namely Preety and Rahul Sondhi have approached this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for seeking protection of their lives and personal liberty from private respondents No.4 and 5.

2. The contention of the petitioners is that both are major, aged 28 years and they have performed 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 15.02.2025 at Gurudwara Shri Amar Darbar Shergarh Katcha Road, Mohalla Akash Colony, Hoshiarpur as per Sikh rites and rituals. A copy of Marriage Certificate (Annexure P-5) issued by the aforesaid Gurudwara 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.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners states that a representation dated 27.03.2026 (Annexure P-7) has also been submitted by the petitioners to the respondent No.2-Senior Superintendent of Police, District Hoshiarpur and he confines his prayer that the representation may be examined.

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

5. Pursuant to supply of advance copy, Dr. (Ms.) Savi Nagpal, Asst. A.G. 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.

6. 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 Station Tanda, District Hoshiarpur to look into the grievances of the petitioners as set out in the petition and also expressed in the representation dated 27.03.2026 (Annexure P-7) and take appropriate action for protection of their lives and liberty as may be warranted by the circumstances.

7. 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.

8. 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 Station Tanda, District Hoshiarpur for requisite compliance.

(VINOD S. BHARDWAJ)

APRIL 08, 2026 JUDGE

Vishal Sharma

Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No

Whether Reportable : Yes/No