The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has ordered the police to protect a young woman who feared for her safety after allegedly receiving threats of forced marriage. The Court directed that she ‘is not subjected to any harm in any manner whatsoever.’
Jammu & Kashmir: The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has directed the police authorities to safeguard a young woman who expressed fear for her safety after allegedly receiving threats of being forced into marriage.
The Court directed the police to ensure that the woman ‘is not subjected to any harm in any manner whatsoever’ in relation to the alleged attempt to compel her into marrying a man, whose family had reportedly threatened to abduct her.
The writ petition was filed in February 2023 by a minor petitioner through her elder sister Shahnaz Akhter, as she was only 17 years old at that time. She claimed that respondents 4 to 10 were pressuring her to marry respondent No. 4, Ghulam Murtaza, and were also threatening to take her away against her will. When the case was finally heard on 20 December 2025, the Court recorded that she had already become a major.
Justice Rahul Bharti issued these directions to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Poonch, as well as the Station House Officer (SHO) of Mendhar.
The Court further clarified that,
“In case the petitioner would reckon that she is being subjected to threats and harassment at the end of the respondents No. 4 to 10 then the petitioner shall be entitled to approach the respondent No. 2-Senior Superintendent of Police-(SSP), Poonch with a complaint who shall then be duty bound to immediately enquire into the matter and ensure safety and security of the person of the petitioner.”
The High Court closed the writ petition after issuing specific protection directions to the police. Through this order, the Court made sure that no one can force the petitioner into marriage or interfere with her personal freedom, and it also allows her to approach the police right away if any further harassment occurs.
Advocates Rushda Choudhary and Arshad Majid Malik appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while Nazia Fazal, Assisting Counsel to Senior Additional Advocate General (AAG) Monika Kohli, represented the State.
Case Title: Sobiya Kouser vs UT of J&K
Read Attachment:
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
