HC asks Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh to provide ‘safe houses’ for fugitive couples

To protect the life and liberty of married couples against the wishes of their families, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has suggested that safe houses be made available in each district of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh.

In a writ petition, which demanded the Punjab government to issue guidelines to protect the life and liberty of petitioners recently married against the wishes of their parents, Justice Avnish Jhingan said in an interim order , “A number of such petitions are being filed by couples who married against the wishes of their parents and relatives. This court is also being approached by couples living in live-in relationships.” .. Over a period of time, the experience is that many such petitions are filed as routines .. The net result is that petitions involving genuine, serious and eminent threats combine with many other petitions. There is another aspect of it. Threatened couples have to look all the way to this court to complete the formalities of filing a writ petition. This puts them at risk. “

In view of the fact that time was abstract in these cases, the court suggested that one way to deal with the problem was to provide safe houses in each district of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. “A website or on-line module should be provided to such couples to raise their grievances without being physically present. Providing 24×7 help desk at tehsil level can help a lot in filing such representations by aggrieved persons or through someone. An existing cell in the police department may be deputed or a new cell may be created which can deal with representation in any situation from time to time, in any case not exceeding 48 hours. Authorities can also ensure that if requested by couples during the period of representation, they are provided shelter in a safe house, ”the court said.

The court said that with the passage of time, the Legal Services Authority was able to reach the ground level. “The whole effort of the practice is that some kind of practical mechanism has been put in place to ensure the protection of life and personal liberty as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Further, only in exceptional cases, the couples have to approach this court alleging violation of rights, ”the court said.