Kerala High Court closes woman's plea to reunite with her lesbian partner

The Kerala High Court on Friday disposed of the habeas Corpus petition moved by a woman alleging that she was forcefully separated from her lesbian partner by her partner's parents..A division bench of Justices PB Suresh Kumar and Shoba Annamma Eapen closed the case after taking note of the partner's statement that she wished to go with her parents, although she admitted to being in a relationship with the petitioner..The petitioner claimed that she and her partner hailing from orthodox Muslim families were forcible separated by their families.They had eloped and left their houses on January 27 but soon, relatives of both the women approached the police and a crime was registered.However, a Judicial First Class Magistrate Court considered the case and allowed the couple to live together.They subsequently relocated to Ernakulam district but according to the plea moved before the High Court, the petitioner's partner was forcefully taken away by her parents on May 30. The petitioner submitted that the police have taken no action in spite of her approaching them with several complaints.If no action is taken soon, she fears that her partner's family will subject her to conversion therapy and make her leave India, the petitioner said."The petitioner respectfully submits that the detenue is under the illegal detention of respondents 5to 7 and their henchmen. She is ready to come with the petitioner. She has been mentally and physically tortured and even admitted in the mental hospital alleging that she is mentally ill. The petitioner apprehends that the detenue will be subjected to conversion therapy and would be taken out from India against her will. The petitioner apprehends threat to the life of the detenue," the plea said.The petitioner also alleged that the inaction of the police was due to political pressure.When the matter was heard on June 6, the Court directed the police to produce the petitioner's partner before the Court on June 19.When the case came up for hearing on Monday, the Court noted the partner's statement that she wanted to go with her parents. Hence, the plea was disposed of..The petitioner was represented by advocates Aneesh KR and Saurav B..[Read Judgment]