IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Decided on: 27.03.2026 KOMAL SANGAL AND ANOTHER …...Petitioners Versus U.T. CHANDIGARH AND OTHERS ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA Present: Mr. M.S. Rana, Advocate for the petitioners.

Mr. Shubham Mangla, Addl. P.P. for U.T. Chandigarh.

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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 is for issuance of directions to respondents No.1 to 3 to protect life and liberty of the petitioners at the hands of respondents No.4 to 6 and to restrict them from harassing and interfering in their married life.

2. In compliance of order dated 24.03.2026 passed by this Court, learned counsel for the petitioners failed to supply a copy of any authentic documents in support of his contention that petitioner No.1 has attained the age of majority. Learned counsel for the petitioners contended that the both the petitioners are major and the petitioners are residing together in a live-in relationship, but they apprehend threat to their life and liberty from the private respondents. While drawing the attention of this Court to representation dated 23.03.2026 (Annexure P- 3), learned counsel has submitted that the matter was reported to respondent No.2- Senior Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh, 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. Mr. Shubham Mangla, Addl. P.P., U.T., Chandigarh, puts in appearance and accepts notice on behalf of the official respondents and submitted that the competent authority will take appropriate action on the representation of the petitioners, in accordance with law.

5. Heard.

6. Keeping in view the contentions raised by learned counsel for the parties and further, without commenting upon the status of live-in- relationship of the petitioners, the present petition is disposed of with directions to respondent No.2 to verify the age of petitioner No.1 and in case, found to be a major, to consider the representation dated 23.03.2026 (Annexure P-3), assess the threat perception to the petitioners and after considering the same, respondent No.2 shall take appropriate action in accordance with law and also to take necessary steps, as per direction of this Court as held in CRWP No.4660 of 2021 titled as “Yash Pal and another vs. State of Haryana and others”, decided on 09.09.2024 whereby the protection was granted, qua the life and liberty of adults, who were in a live-in relationship, in order to protect them from threats arising from moral vigilants or from close relative of any of them. The fundamental right to life and liberty is so sacrosanct and stands at such a high pedestal that it must be protected even in the absence of an incident like solemnization of a valid marriage between the parties.

However, it is made clear that if the petitioners commit any offence against the State or any person, this order shall not create any embargo or impediment to take appropriate action in accordance with law.

It is also made clear that in case petitioner No.1 is found to be minor, then State shall proceed with the matter in accordance with law.

(SUBHAS MEHLA)

JUDGE

27.03.2026 Sonia Puri