'State Must Ensure Protection Of Married Couple Facing Threat': Uttarakhand High Court Orders Police To Provide Security To Couple

The Uttarakhand High Court has observed that where there is a threat perception to a married couple, the State authorities are under a legal obligation to ensure their safety and protection. Taking note of the petitioners' apprehension of threat from private respondents, the Court directed the police authorities to assess the threat perception and make necessary arrangements for their protection.Justice Rakesh Thapliyal passed the interim directions in a writ petition filed by a couple seeking protection to enable them to live their married life peacefully.The petitioners approached the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking a direction to the police authorities to provide protection to their life and personal liberty.It was stated that the petitioners were in a relationship and had solemnized their marriage on 12.02.2026 at a Shiv temple in Udham Singh Nagar according to Hindu rituals. Photographs of the marriage were placed on record.The petitioners also stated that both of them are majors, supported by Aadhaar cards placed on record, and that they had married each other of their own will without any compulsion or coercion.Importantly, the petitioners contended that there was a threat perception from private respondents, namely the cousin brother and father of petitioner no.1, on account of the marriage.On this basis, they sought protection from the State authorities to ensure that they could live peacefully without any interference.The Court noted that as per the Aadhaar cards placed on record, both petitioners are majors and had married each other of their own wishes without any compulsion or coercion, though the marriage had not yet been registered.Taking note of the apprehension of threat, the Court observed that “if there is threat perception from the side of the private respondents, the State authorities are under a legal obligation to ensure safety and protection of the petitioners”.Accordingly, the High Court directed the police authorities to assess the threat perception and make necessary arrangements for protection of the petitioners from any threat or coercive action from the private respondents.“Admittedly, as per adhar cards of the petitioners, they are major and married with each other with their own wishes without any compulsion and coercion, however, their marriage is not registered. Both the petitioners undertake before this Court that they will get marriage to be registered within a short span of time, however, then some protection may be granted”, the Court held. The Court further directed that the private respondents be called to the police station and counselled not to take law into their own hands. Furthermore, the petitioners were also directed to get their marriage registered and produce the marriage certificate.Notice was issued in the matter, with time granted to the State to file a counter affidavit.Case Name: Simran Kaur and Another v State of Uttarakhand and OrsCase No.: Writ Petition (Crl) No. 333 of 2026Click Here To Read/Download Order

'State Must Ensure Protection Of Married Couple Facing Threat': Uttarakhand High Court Orders Police To Provide Security To Couple

Preet Luthra

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