The Delhi High Court has directed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to file a status report on a protection petition by an inter-caste couple, apprehending threat to life by family members of the girl.
The Single-Judge Bench of Justice Yogesh Khanna on Friday directed the SHO of Khyala police station to personally meet the petitioners and take action in accordance with law regarding the threat perception.
It further directed the Khyala Police to provide the mobile phone numbers of the Division Officer or Head Constables to the petitioners to contact in case of emergency.
Taking in view the arguments put forward by the Counsel for the Delhi government, stating that petitioner no 1 (Akanksha Sharma) was less than 18 years of age, the High Court directed her to be produced before the Child Welfare Committee for an appropriate enquiry about her age and also for requisite orders qua her custody.
The Single-Judge Bench further issued notice to the Respondents no 3 (step-father of the girl) and Respondent no 4 (mother of the girl) regarding the age of petitioner no 1.
It directed the Delhi government to file the status report before the next date of hearing, which was fixed at March 20 and further ordered that an advance copy of the same be provided to the Counsel representing the petitioners.
An inter-caste couple had filed a writ petition seeking protection from the family of the girl.
The plea contended that one Akanksha Sharma (22), belonging to upper caste, had married Ravi Kumar (26), belonging to the Scheduled Caste on January 17, 2023 at Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Gagan Gandhi of NitiNyaya Law Offices contended that the step-father and mother of the girl, after coming to know about her affair with boy of another caste, subjected her to physical, mental and sexual atrocities.
The petitioner no 1 later ran away from her house with petitioner no 2 and married him in a temple.
The couple was currently living in Delhi and were constantly under threat of either being killed or implicated in a false criminal case, added the petition.
ASC for the State Anand V. Khatri, along with SI Inderjeet, Police Station Khyala, appeared for the Respondents – the State of NCT of Delhi and Others.
The petitioners were represented by Advocates Gagan Gandhi, Rituraj Gandhi and Akash Bassi.
(Case title: Akanksha Sharma & Anr vs State of NCT of Delhi & Ors)