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When a Protection Plea Exposes a Deeper Menace: J&K High Court Dives into 'Marriage Traps'
In a startling turn in the , what began as a by a 19-year-old girl and a 46-year-old married man seeking protection for their alleged union has morphed into a broader judicial crusade against potential "marriage traps" preying on vulnerable young women. Justice Rahul Bharti, seizing the matter , has ordered a detailed probe, highlighting concerns over criminal rackets involving religious preachers and self-styled spiritual figures.
The Courtroom Alert That Saved a Life
The saga unfolded on , when the young petitioner appeared personally, claiming marriage to the much older co-petitioner. Troubled by her mental state, Justice Bharti directed her handover to the and eventually to the —a move praised in media reports as a "moment of vigil" that prevented her life from "going waste."
By , a sealed report from social worker Ms. Azrah Manzoor painted a grim picture, prompting the court to restore custody to the girl's mother, who admitted a "lapse of parental vigil." Yet, the judge refused to close the file routinely, flagging "far reaching legal implications."
Shadows of Deception: and Suspect Players
At the heart lies a
dated
, purportedly solemnizing the union. The court zeroed in on the role of the religious preacher who facilitated it, questioning if
"self proclaimed peers and tantriks (sorcerers) having a predatory presence"
were luring "young and gullible girls" into traps—echoing concerns raised in contemporaneous news coverage about systemic risks in rural Kashmir.
The original advocate, , faces notice for personal appearance amid suspicions over the petition's filing. Reports from and the shelter underscored the man's dubious credentials, transforming the case from a simple elopement protection bid into a potential racket investigation.
No formal arguments were presented by the petitioners, who appeared unrepresented initially. Respondents, including the , cooperated through government advocates, while the mother's counsel supported custody restoration.
Judicial Scalpel: Dissecting Predatory Patterns
Justice Bharti's reasoning draws no direct precedents but invokes the court's powers to address societal harms, distinguishing this from routine custody battles. By , the court sought a woman IPS officer from Kashmir Province for an inter-district inquiry, emphasizing sensitivity to the victim's trauma and rural vulnerabilities.
Appointing advocate as —with Ms. Manzoor assisting—the bench outlined directives: bonds from the man, psychological support via , and ensuring safety. This proactive stance clarifies that protection petitions demand scrutiny beyond surface claims, especially with age and marital disparities.
Key Observations
"A moment of vigil on the part of this Court being able to prevent life of a 19 years aged young girl from going waste..."
"...the role of the religious preacher/moulvi... needs to be thoroughly scanned as to whether there is a criminal racket going on with respect to alluring young and gullible girls like the petitioner No. 1 by self proclaimed peers and tantriks (sorcerers) having a predatory presence..."
"This case has far reaching legal implications which need to be fully attended to and addressed by this Court rather than treating it as a one-off case..."
"...whether such like vulturish practices are active in Kashmir’s rural areas."
These quotes capture the court's alarm and resolve.
Road Ahead: Safety Nets and Systemic Change
The court dispensed with the SSP Security's personal appearance after assurances, listed the matter for , and mandated follow-ups. Implications ripple wide: heightened scrutiny of -based pleas, bolstering of women police presence in courts, and potential exposure of rackets—offering a blueprint for protecting at-risk girls. As the probe unfolds, it signals courts won't turn a blind eye to predatory shadows masquerading as matrimony.
