‘Didn't get protection, separated instead': HC slams Delhi Police for violation of rights of interfaith couple
In an order on July 25, Justice Sanjeev Narula underlined that 'such conduct, prima facie, amounts to a violation of fundamental rights of the couple… particularly their right to liberty, dignity, and to make autonomous decisions concerning marriage, as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution'.
The bench also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) concerned to ascertain the woman's safety, and move the couple to a safe house in accordance with Delhi Police's standard operating procedure (SOP).
A Muslim man, in a relationship with a Hindu woman since 2018, and represented by advocate Utkarsh Singh, moved the High Court with a petition seeking the court's urgent directions, on July 25 to the Delhi Police to provide the couple with necessary protection and a safe house as the Supreme Court-mandated guidelines stipulate. The request was made after the couple expressed their intent to marry which was met with intense familial opposition and threats.
On July 22, as per the petition, the woman met the man in Delhi and the couple had then approached the DCP (South East district) for police protection under the Delhi Police's SOP for consenting adult couples. However instead of being provided with the safety as desired, the couple was 'forcibly separated' with the woman 'medically examined, and later detained at Nirmal Chhaya Women's Shelter around 3 am on 24.07.2025, despite her repeated and recorded pleas to be with' her partner.
According to the couple's advocate Singh, the two were reunited and housed at a safe house several hours after the HC's order.
The High Court has also sought a status report from the police on the circumstances surrounding the events of July 23-24, including the action taken on the couple's complaint where they had expressed their fear of potential threats to their safety as they intended to get married under Special Marriage Act, and had sought police protection in this regard.
The HC has kept the matter for further consideration on August 8 when the police is expected to furnish details on the incident.
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