The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has directed the police to ensure the safety of a woman who expressed apprehension of being forcibly married after allegedly receiving threats from a family seeking to take her away against her will.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Justice Rahul Bharti issued the directions to the Senior Superintendent of Police of Poonch and the Station House Officer of Mendhar, instructing them to ensure that the woman is not subjected to any harm in connection with the alleged attempt to force her into marriage.
Bar and Bench reported that the Court ordered the police to provide protection and made it clear that the woman should not be subjected to threats, harassment, or coercion by the respondents named in the case. The Court further observed that if the woman believes she is being threatened or harassed, she would be entitled to approach the Senior Superintendent of Police, Poonch, who would then be duty-bound to immediately inquire into the matter and ensure her safety and security.
The case relates to a petition filed in 2023 through the woman’s elder sister, at a time when the woman was only 17 years old. The plea sought protection from an alleged attempt to forcibly marry her to a man whose family was accused of issuing threats.
Advocates Rushda Choudhary and Arshad Majid Malik appeared on behalf of the petitioner, while Nazia Fazal, assisting counsel to Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli, represented the State before the Court.
The Chenab Times News Desk