SC tells Centre to provide security to woman forced into marriage in K’taka

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the central government to grant protection to a Karnataka woman who alleged that she has been married off without her consent.

The woman, who is presently living in Delhi and being assisted by the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), has also sought striking down of certain provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act on the grounds that the consent of the bride or the groom has not been made mandatory in the law.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud said that it would treat this petition as a habeas corpus plea, and would not deal with the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Act as sought by senior advocate Indira Jaising, who was representing the aggrieved woman.

The bench observed that the Section 12 C of the Act provides for annulment of marriage if there is forced or fraudulent consent.

The court agreed with the contention that the identity of the woman and her family members, who had forced her into the marriage, be not revealed.

It directed the Superintendent of the Police concerned to serve notice on the respondents and fixed the matter for further hearing on May 5.

During the hearing, advocate Jaising said that the woman has been forced into marriage and sought directions from the court to provide her with security.

NEW DELHI: