Grant protection to interfaith couple: Allahabad HC to police

PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court has directed the Moradabad police to give protection, when it is sought, to an interfaith couple who alleged that private respondents were interfering with their marital life and liberty. The court said the petitioner (woman) having converted to Islam would not be a relevant factor while ensuring that there is no interference in the liberty of the petitioners unless there is any allegation by the woman regarding forcible conversion.

Justice Salil Kumar Rai passed the order on June 8 while hearing a petition filed by Yashi Devi, aged about 20 years and Guchhan Khan (second petitioner), aged about 40 years. They got married on January 11, 2021. The matter pertains to Moradabad district.

The petitioners requested the court to issue necessary directions to the respondents not to interfere with their marital life and liberty.

The court said that in view of the clear enunciation of law, “It is obligatory for the concerned authorities to ensure compliance of the above directions in view of Article 141, which clearly provided that the law declared by the Supreme Court shall be binding on all courts...”