The Court directed SSP, Faridkot to look into the grievance of an already married woman and an unmarried man living together in a live-in relationship and seeking protection of life and liberty against private parties.

The Court disposed of their plea with a direction to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Faridkot to look into the grievance of the petitioners (married woman and unmarried man) as projected in their representation.

The case in brief

The petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India had been filed for issuance of directions to the official respondents to protect the life and liberty of the petitioners and provide security to them.

As per the allegations, both the petitioners have attained the age of majority. Petitioner No.1 (Woman) is married to respondent No.4 and the marriage is still subsisting, but the petitioner No.2 (Man) is unmarried.

The petitioners are stated to be in a live-in relationship and they were apprehending threat and danger to their life and liberty at the instance of respondents including Woman's husband.

It had been further stated by learned counsel for the petitioners that Woman's husband had filed a petition under Article 226 the Constitution of India for issuance of a writ of habeas corpus for ensuring release of the woman (petitioner number 1 herein).

However, the said petition bearing was disposed of noting that the woman was residing with petitioner No.2 voluntarily on her own free will and she has not been illegally detained.

Thus, issuing a notice of motion to the official respondents, the Court noted:

"It is fairly considered by learned counsel for the petitioners that they will be satisfied in the event the adequate directions are issued for their protection and safety and appropriate action is initiated on the representation which has already been submitted to official respondents."

Lastly, the court added that the order would not be construed as any expression to validate the relationship of the petitioners or upon any Civil and Criminal proceedings.