Allow Cookies!
By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies
On Friday, the Supreme Court issued a notice in a petition filed by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) that seeks to ensure the safety of married couples of inter-caste/community facing threats to their lives.
The matter was taken up for hearing by the Bench of Justices AK Sikri and S Abdul Nazeer, which proceeded to issue the notice. DCW was represented by Advocate Sunil Fernandes. It is alleged in the petition that twelve couples are facing serious threats to their lives from their families and other groups of social vigilante groups.
The identity of the couples, made the respondents in the case, was kept confidential for safety and security reasons. These inter caste or interreligious couples who had been opposed to their marriage by their families, the local community and Khap Panchayats, had escaped from their places of residence and had approached the NGO Love Commandos to seek refuge.
However, the petition indicates that the couples were subjected to extortion and harassment by the aforementioned NGO and requested assistance from DCW, which subsequently rescued them. The petition states that the Commission, due to the lack of personnel, security facilities and devices, cannot provide long-term accommodation to such couple for a long time, considering the legal and security implications that may arise.
Two of the couples also approached the Delhi High Court, which directed the concerned Station House Officers to provide protection through beat staff. A reference was made to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Shakti Vahini v. Union of India, in which the Court had seen the vision of Khap Panchayats conducting honour killings. In that decision, the Supreme Court had directed the creation of safe houses for couples facing threats. It had also urged State governments to set up such safe houses in every district headquarter.
It is contended that the fundamental right of the respondent couples to choose a life partner as envisaged under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution is violated.
Therefore, it was prayed before the Court for the issuance of directions to the Central and State governments to provide security and safe houses for fleeing couples with the help and assistance of their respective Women's Commissions in the state. Police protection was sought 24 hours a day for the respondent inter-caste/community married couples. The immediate implementation of the guidelines established in Shakti Vahini was also requested for the creation of safe houses in every district, within a specific term. Legislation that provides security and safe houses to run away couples is also required, according to the Shakti Vahini guidelines.
Further, the petition also requests the Court to initiate appropriate proceedings against the Centre, the Delhi government, and the Commissioner of Delhi Police for the intentional failure to comply with the Shakti Vahini judgment.
86540
103860
630
114
59824