The High Court of Delhi has said that an adult woman is “free to reside wherever she wishes & with whosoever she wishes.”
The HC said this on Wednesday while hearing the habeas corpus plea of a woman filed by her brother who had alleged that his sister was kidnapped.
A bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi & Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar, after interacting with the woman via video conferencing, said that the woman, Sulekha, could reside with one Babloo if she so wished. The 2 were identified by their first names in court records.
The Bench in its Order said that “The police authorities shall also counsel the petitioner (woman’s brother) & the parents of Sulekha not to take law into their hands or threaten either Sulekha or Babloo. The mobile phone number of the beat constable of the police station where Sulekha will reside with Babloo should be provided to both Sulekha & Babloo so that they may get in touch with police officials in case of need”.
Sulekha was & produced in the Court via video conferencing where the judges interacted with her. She told the court that she left with & married Babloo of her own accord.
Taking note of the fact that the woman was born in 2000 & was not a minor, the court allowed her to stay with Babloo whole also providing her with security.
The Court said that “Aforesaid being the position, Sulekha is free to reside wherever she wishes & with whosoever she wishes, she being a major”.
The HC also ordered police to escort Sulekha to Babloo & ensure they were not harassed by their families.
Source Link
