Provide protection to couple eloped from Haryana: Delhi HC to police

Noting that honour killing has become "a fashion" in Haryana, the Delhi high court has asked police to provide protection to a couple from different castes who had run away from their village in the neighbouring state and got married in the national capital.

Justice Shiv Narayan Dhingra directed the Delhi police to provide protection to the couple, who told the court they were apprehending threat from the girl's family, and also to act
quickly on any complaint from them against the family members.

"Since both the petitioners are adult and have freedom to marry as per their choice, I consider that they should be provided protection in view of the atmosphere prevalent in adjoining state of Haryana where honour killing has become a fashion these days," Justice Dhingra said in a recent order.

Allowing a petition for protection filed by Manoj (name changed) and his wife, the court said, "...When a specific complaint is received in this respect by the SHO, necessary action should be taken on the complaint".

The couple, currently residing in Rani Bagh here, said in the petition that both of them are major and belonged to different castes and that their marriage was solemnised in Delhi.

"There is eminent danger to our lives because of the inter-caste marriage...," they claimed in the petition.