Supreme Court Shields Inter-Caste Couple from Honour Killing Threats
The Supreme Court of India on Monday stayed a recent order by the Rajasthan High Court that permitted the parents of a woman in an inter-caste marriage to visit the couple. The couple had expressed concerns over potential threats to their lives, fearing an honour killing. The bench, comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Arun Palli, ruled in favor of the couple, who had previously sought protection from the apex court, citing threats from the woman’s family.
During the hearing, a legal counsel argued that the intent of the Rajasthan High Court was merely to facilitate a meeting between the woman and her father, without undermining the Supreme Court’s earlier protective order. However, the bench was unconvinced, remarking, “We should not encourage these types of regressive elements. They are hounding the couple out there. This is not proper.” Consequently, the bench issued a notice and stayed the High Court’s order.
The origins of this case date back to March, when the couple legally registered their inter-caste marriage in Delhi on March 23. The woman’s family opposed the union, allegedly resorting to threats and filing a missing person report in Rajasthan, perceived as an effort to disrupt the couple’s life. Fearing for their lives, the couple petitioned the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, seeking protection.
On April 30, a bench consisting of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan concluded the couple’s initial writ petition, having received assurances from Uttar Pradesh authorities that the couple would receive sufficient protection at their matrimonial home in Baghpat.
Despite these assurances, the woman’s father later filed a habeas corpus petition in the Rajasthan High Court. This prompted the couple to return to the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court’s intervention allowed further interference, despite the protection granted by the Supreme Court.
More Read
During the proceedings, the couple’s counsel also expressed concerns about the presence of Rajasthan police outside their residence and their visits to relatives. The bench expressed disapproval of this situation, prompting a commitment from the Rajasthan government that the police would no longer engage in such actions. This assurance was duly recorded in the court’s order.
