The Supreme Court today issued notice in a petition filed by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) seeking to ensure the safety of inter-caste/community married couples who are facing threats to their lives..The matter was taken up for hearing by the Bench of Justices AK Sikri and S Abdul Nazeer, which proceeded to issue notice. Advocate Sunil Fernandes appeared for DCW..The petition alleges that twelve couples are facing serious threats to their lives from their families and other social vigilante groups. The identity of the couples, made respondents in the case, has been kept confidential for safety reasons..These inter-caste/inter-religious couples whose marriage was opposed by their families, the local community, and Khap Panchayats, had run away from their places of residence and approached the NGO Love Commandos for shelter..However, the petition states that the couples faced extortion and harassment from the said NGO and sought help from the DCW, which subsequently rescued them. The petition states,.“The Commission on account of insufficient manpower, facilities, and security arrangements is not in a position to provide sustained accommodation to such couple for a long time considering the legal and security implication which may arise.”.Two of the couples had also approached the Delhi High Court, which directed the concerned Station House Officers to provide protection through beat staff..Reference is also made to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Shakti Vahini v. Union of India, in which the Court had taken a dim view of Khap Panchayats carrying out honour killings. In that judgment, the Supreme Court had directed the establishment of safe houses for couples facing threats. It had also urged State governments to set up such safe houses in every district headquarter..The petition contends that the fundamental right of the respondent couples to choose a life partner as envisaged under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution is violated..Therefore, it has been prayed that the Court issue directions to the Central and State governments to provide security and safe houses to runaway couples with the help and assistance of the respective State Women’s Commissions. Round-the-clock police protection has been sought for the respondent inter-caste/community married couples..Immediate implementation of the guidelines laid down in Shakti Vahini with respect to setting up of safe houses in every district, within a specific timeline, has also been prayed for..Also called for is a legislation to provide security and safe houses to run away couples, as per the guidelines in Shakti Vahini..Further, the petition also asks the Court to initiate appropriate proceedings against the Centre, the Delhi government, and the Commissioner of Delhi Police for deliberate non-compliance of Shakti Vahini judgment..Read the petition:
The Supreme Court today issued notice in a petition filed by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) seeking to ensure the safety of inter-caste/community married couples who are facing threats to their lives..The matter was taken up for hearing by the Bench of Justices AK Sikri and S Abdul Nazeer, which proceeded to issue notice. Advocate Sunil Fernandes appeared for DCW..The petition alleges that twelve couples are facing serious threats to their lives from their families and other social vigilante groups. The identity of the couples, made respondents in the case, has been kept confidential for safety reasons..These inter-caste/inter-religious couples whose marriage was opposed by their families, the local community, and Khap Panchayats, had run away from their places of residence and approached the NGO Love Commandos for shelter..However, the petition states that the couples faced extortion and harassment from the said NGO and sought help from the DCW, which subsequently rescued them. The petition states,.“The Commission on account of insufficient manpower, facilities, and security arrangements is not in a position to provide sustained accommodation to such couple for a long time considering the legal and security implication which may arise.”.Two of the couples had also approached the Delhi High Court, which directed the concerned Station House Officers to provide protection through beat staff..Reference is also made to the Supreme Court’s judgment in Shakti Vahini v. Union of India, in which the Court had taken a dim view of Khap Panchayats carrying out honour killings. In that judgment, the Supreme Court had directed the establishment of safe houses for couples facing threats. It had also urged State governments to set up such safe houses in every district headquarter..The petition contends that the fundamental right of the respondent couples to choose a life partner as envisaged under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution is violated..Therefore, it has been prayed that the Court issue directions to the Central and State governments to provide security and safe houses to runaway couples with the help and assistance of the respective State Women’s Commissions. Round-the-clock police protection has been sought for the respondent inter-caste/community married couples..Immediate implementation of the guidelines laid down in Shakti Vahini with respect to setting up of safe houses in every district, within a specific timeline, has also been prayed for..Also called for is a legislation to provide security and safe houses to run away couples, as per the guidelines in Shakti Vahini..Further, the petition also asks the Court to initiate appropriate proceedings against the Centre, the Delhi government, and the Commissioner of Delhi Police for deliberate non-compliance of Shakti Vahini judgment..Read the petition: