The Supreme Court stayed a Rajasthan High Court order allowing parents of an inter-caste married woman to meet her, after the couple expressed fears of honour killing and threats from her family following their marriage.
The Supreme Court stayed an order passed by the Rajasthan High Court which had permitted the parents of a woman involved in an inter-caste marriage to meet her, despite the couple’s apprehension that such contact could expose them to the risk of an Honour Killing.
A Bench comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice Arun Palli passed the order on an application filed by the couple, who had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking protection after alleging threats from the woman’s family following their marriage.
The couple contended that the Rajasthan High Court’s direction allowing a meeting with the woman’s relatives could undermine the protection already granted to them by the Supreme Court and could potentially place their safety at risk.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that the Rajasthan High Court’s objective was only to enable the woman to meet her family members and was not intended to interfere with the protection order passed by the Supreme Court.
However, the Bench was not convinced by the submission and expressed concern over attempts to pressure couples who choose to marry against family wishes.
The Court observed:
“We should not encourage these types of regressive elements. They are hounding the couple out there. This is not proper,”
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court issued notice in the matter and directed that the Rajasthan High Court’s order would remain stayed until further consideration.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute originates from an inter-caste marriage solemnised by the couple in Delhi earlier this year. The couple’s marriage was registered on March 23. According to their submissions before the Court, the woman’s family strongly opposed the relationship and allegedly began threatening them after learning about the marriage.
The couple claimed that their decision to marry was not accepted by the woman’s relatives and that efforts were made to interfere with their marital life. They further alleged that a missing person complaint was filed in Rajasthan, which they claimed was being used as a means to exert pressure on them.
Fearing for their lives and apprehending the possibility of an honour killing, the couple approached the Supreme Court directly under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking protection.
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Supreme Court Earlier Granted Protection: On April 30, a Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan disposed of the couple’s writ petition after recording an assurance from Uttar Pradesh authorities that adequate security would be provided to them. The couple was residing at their matrimonial home in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, after the marriage.
Based on the assurance given by the authorities, the Supreme Court closed the earlier proceedings while ensuring that the couple’s safety would be protected.
Proceedings Before Rajasthan High Court: Despite the Supreme Court’s intervention, the woman’s relatives later approached the Rajasthan High Court by filing a habeas corpus petition. Following the proceedings before the Rajasthan High Court, an order was passed permitting the woman’s parents to meet her.
The couple subsequently returned to the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court’s order had created an opportunity for further interference despite the earlier protection granted by the apex court. They contended that allowing contact with the family, in the circumstances of the case, could compromise their safety.
Supreme Court’s Observation
During Monday’s hearing, the couple also raised concerns regarding the continued presence of Rajasthan Police personnel near their residence.
The counsel appearing for the couple submitted:
“I have been protected. But Rajasthan police is sitting at my home.. They are even visiting all my relatives,”
The Supreme Court expressed concern over the alleged visits and questioned the necessity of such police action.
Responding to the Court’s concern, counsel appearing for the Rajasthan government assured the Bench that police officials would no longer visit the couple or their relatives. The statement was recorded by the Court in its order.
The case raises broader concerns regarding the protection of individuals who enter into inter-caste or inter-faith marriages against family opposition. Indian courts have repeatedly emphasised that adults have the constitutional right to choose their partners and that threats, coercion or violence on the basis of caste or family honour cannot be permitted.
The Supreme Court’s latest order reinforces the principle that protective measures granted to couples facing threats must not be diluted through subsequent proceedings that may expose them to further risk.
The couple was represented by Advocates Poornima Singh and Pradeep Kumar Arya.
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