Punjab and Haryana High Court: In a writ petition filed by a run-away couple seeking protection of their lives and personal liberty from their families and relatives, a Single Judge Bench of Rohit Kapoor, J., disposed of the petition with a direction to the 2nd Respondent to forward the petitioners’ police representation to the authority concerned and ensure that the same was decided per the SOPs.
Background
The petitioners, who are adults, got married, but due to threats from their families, they filed a representation before the Commissioner of Police seeking protection.
Observations on authorities’ ignorance of SOPs for protection of run-away couples and Directions thereof
At the outset, the Court noted that the Standard Operating Procedures (‘SOPs’) notified by the Government of Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh in compliance with orders dated 14-06-2024 in Kajal v. State of Haryana1 had not been widely circulated. The Court remarked that due to the ignorance of the same, it was flooded with litigation without first waiting for the representations to be decided by the concerned authorities within the time stipulated under the said SOPs and without availing the alternate remedy of filing appeals against any order as provided under the said SOPs.
The Court also noted that the authorities appointed under the SOPs were either ignorant about it or lax in following the time frames and guidelines in strict letter and spirit.
The counsels for the Respondents were informed about the SOPs and they gave an undertaking that the States will widely publish the information for the general public and at the relevant forums and will strictly ensure the compliance thereof.
The Court directed that a copy of the SOPs be sent for circulation amongst Bar Members.
Accordingly, the petition was disposed of with a direction to 2nd Respondent to determine the petitioners’ case as per the SOPs.
[Kamalpreet Kaur v. State of Punjab, CRWP No. 6236 of 2025, decided on 12-06-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For the petitioner: Rakesh Kumar Chauhan
For the respondent: AAG of Punjab Ishan Kaushal, Asstt. AG of Haryana Praveen Bhadu, and Abhinav Sood
1. CRWP No.12562 of 2023
