POLICE SHOWED UNDUE FERVOUR IN INTERFAITH COUPLE CASE: HC
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court ordered the immediate release of an interfaith couple arrested by Palanpur police in Banaskantha district following a compliant by the woman’s family, and said the police had shown “undue fervour” as this was an “inter-religion marriage”.
In its order issued on Tuesday, the court expressed unhappiness over the turn of events, terming them as “shocking”.
The court was hearing a case filed by the couple — a 30-yearold Muslim man and a 29-yearold Hindu woman who got married in December last year. Based on a complaint filed by the woman’s father, the police arrested the couple.
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court has ordered immediate release of an inter-faith couple arrested by Palanpur police in Banaskantha district following an FIR lodged by the woman’s family, which was apparently unhappy over her decision to get married against their wishes.
In its order issued on Tuesday, a division bench of Justices Sonia Gokani and Sangeeta Vishen expressed unhappiness over the turn of events, terming them as “shocking”.
While ordering the couple’s release, the HC observed that police had shown “undue fervour” while dealing with this case of “inter-religion marriage”.
The HC, while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by the brother of the 30-year-old man, quashed the remand order issued by a local magistrate and asked the Palanpur police to release the couple immediately.
The court directed the range inspector general, under whom Banaskantha falls, to inquire into the conduct of police inspectors of Palanpur-East and Palanpur- West police stations, “in whose custody the couple has been detained for all these days, and report to the DIG”.
The 30-year-old Muslim man from Palanpur got married to a 29-year-old Hindu woman, hailing from same town, in December-end last year. The petition stated that the woman and the man were friends since childhood.
Apparently being unhappy over the woman’s decision, her father lodged a complaint with Palanpur-East police, alleging that she stole money from the family’s home before running away.
Based on the complaint, the Palanpur police arrested the couple around a week back. Later, a local magistrate remanded them in four-day police custody from January 18.
As the couple has decided to settle in Surat, the state government has assured the HC that Surat police commissioner will be asked to provide them protection initially for four weeks.