The High Court has the power under Article 226 to direct police authorities to protect the life and liberty of individuals, contingent upon proof of threat and verification of the veracity of their claims and marital status.

ALOK JAIN, J. (Oral)

1. The present petition has been filed under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India for issuance of an appropriate writ in the nature of mandamus directing the official respondents to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners at the hands of private respondents.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioners, inter-alia, contends that both the petitioners who are adults have got married on 31.05.2026 and due to the threat being faced from the private respondents, they have moved a representation dated 31.05.2026 (Annexure P-5).

2. Notice of motion to the official respondents.

3. Mr. Japjot Singh, AAG, Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of the official respondents.

4. The present petition is being considered only for the purpose of protection of life and liberty of the petitioners and the filing, pendency or the orders passed by this Court in this petition shall neither be construed as any stamp of the Court qua the relationship/marriage of the petitioners nor shall be relied upon by any authority in any proceedings initiated against the petitioners under any other provision of law, hence, there is no necessity to serve the private respondent(s) or to seek a reply from them.

5. In view of the above, the petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.2-Senior Superintendent of Police, District Tarn Taran to take into consideration the request of the petitioners made vide representation dated 31.05.2026 (Annexure P-5) and take appropriate action, in accordance with law and in terms of the guidelines/SOPs issued vide judgment passed by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in CRWP-12562-2023 dated 14.06.2024.

6. It is made clear to the petitioners that, in case, any averment made in this petition or in the representation dated 31.05.2026 (Annexure P-5) is found to be incorrect, the State authorities are directed to take appropriate action, in accordance with law.

7. However, since this petition is being disposed of in limine, therefore, copy of the complete paper book be sent through registered post to respondent Nos.4 and 5-parents of petitioner No.2.

8. Although, the State is duty bound to protect its citizens, however, in case, there is any criminal record of the petitioners, the present order shall not be an alibi or an impediment against the authorities to proceed in accordance with law and the above order is subject to cross verification of the antecedents of the petitioners. Furthermore, it will be the responsibility of the concerned SHO to verify the original documents demonstrating the correct age and residential address of the petitioners before considering their representation after getting the same counter-checked by the private respondents.

9. The authorities shall also verify the authenticity of the Marriage Certificate dated 31.05.2026 (Annexure P-3) placed on record and cogent proof of any threat being received by the petitioners from any corner and in case, it is found to be a fancy petition, then the authorities are at liberty to take appropriate action against the petitioners, in accordance with law.

10. Pending miscellaneous application(s) shall stand disposed of.