Safe house meant for all including inter-faith, inter-caste and LGBTQIA+ community couples facing trouble from families: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Friday said that a safe house has to be provided all type of couples - inter-faith, inter-caste or those belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community - facing opposition from families..While hearing a petition filed by a couple in a similar situation, Justice Mukta Gupta said,“Whether it’s inter-caste, inter-religion, inter-community…. LGBTQ also covered.” .The Court’s remarks came after additional standing counsel Rajesh Mahajan submitted that a safe house had been opened in Delhi on the lines of the Supreme Court’s judgment in Shakti Vahini v. Union of India, which concerned inter-caste couples.After being informed that a safe house had been opened in the city, the Court directed Delhi Police to ensure safe transportation of the petitioners to the safe house and to provide necessary protection till they stayed there.“SHO Police Station Mayur Vihar Phase 1 to ensure petitioners are taken from office and lodged safely at the safe house…There they would be given necessary protection form SHO through beat staff and other security staff…,” the Court ordered..The Court pointed out that the current arrangement was only a “stop-gap” measure and that the couple's families had to be made parties to the case in the future.“Someday they will have to settle on their own. It is only a stop gap….They can live at the safe house for some time but (eventually) have to move out...You need to implead the family members..,” Justice Gupta stated..Appearing for the petitioners, Advocate Utkarsh Singh submitted that this clients were adults but their families assaulted them. The Court was informed that they were in the city to solemnise their marriage.The petitioners, one of whom was NGO Dhanak For Humanity, argued that the couple had approached the DCP concerned, but weren’t provided with a safe house as yet. “On the night of July 13, 2021, petitioner number 2 and 3 (couple) were assaulted by the family member of petitioner number 2,” the plea stated.The petitioners also feared being tracked by their families and people known to them. They were stated to be “running here and there to protect their lives and have sought refuge in the NGO’s office”.Judicial intervention was sought by the couple on the ground that they also “have the right to pursue their lives with dignity irrespective of their sexual orientation”.Not providing them with a safe house was violation of their fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 (protection of life and liberty) of the Constitution of India, it was argued..The matter will be heard again on August 2.