Delhi High Court expresses concerns over illegal detention of newly married couple

The Delhi High Court has expressed concerns over repeated incidents of illegal detention of young couples in Delhi without informing the local police.

This came to light during the hearing of a plea filed by a newly married couple against their illegal detention without informing the Delhi Police in February. The couple had sought protection from the police citing a threat from the woman’s family. They claimed they had unsuccessfully sought protection from the Delhi Police and were taken from their residence in Delhi on February 17. The court had directed the in-charge of Delhi’s Anand Parbat Police Station to ensure the safety and security of the couple on February 16, but on February 18, the couple was taken away by people believed to be police officers from Uttar Pradesh’s Modi Nagar.

During the hearing, the Uttar Pradesh Government informed the court that circulars and directions have been issued to all police stations in the National Capital Region (NCR) directing that no such action should be taken in Delhi without informing the local police. Additionally, a three-member special investigation team was formed to look into the couple’s illegal detention, and an inquiry has been recommended against the investigating officer in the case over procedural lapses.

The court expressed dissatisfaction with the footage provided by the Uttar Pradesh government, stating that a deeper analysis was required after checking the CCTV footage. It issued a notice to the Delhi Police asking them to examine the footage to obtain facial shots of people seen in the video.

The incident highlights the issue of illegal detention of young couples in Delhi, especially those who marry against the wishes of their families. In many cases, the police do not follow the due process of law and violate the rights of the individuals concerned. Such incidents have been reported not only in Delhi but in other parts of India as well.

In 2018, the Supreme Court of India passed a landmark judgment stating that adults have the right to marry whomever they want, and such marriages cannot be interfered with by anyone, including their families. The court also directed all state governments to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents of illegal detention.

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, incidents of illegal detention and harassment of young couples continue to be reported in India. In many cases, such incidents are fueled by caste and religion-based prejudices, which further complicate the situation. The lack of proper implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives and the absence of strict action against the police officials responsible for such violations have only added to the problem.

The issue of illegal detention of young couples is not limited to India but is a global phenomenon. In many parts of the world, young couples face opposition from their families and communities when they marry outside their caste, religion, or ethnicity. Such opposition often leads to threats, harassment, and even violence. In such situations, the role of the police becomes crucial in ensuring the safety and security of the individuals concerned.

To address the issue of illegal detention of young couples, there is a need for a multi-pronged approach. The first step is to create awareness among the general public about the rights of individuals to choose their life partners. This can be achieved through public campaigns, social media, and educational programs in schools and colleges.

The second step is to sensitize the police force and ensure that they follow due process of law while dealing with such cases. The police should be trained to handle such situations with sensitivity and respect for the individuals concerned. They should also be held accountable for any violations of the law and should face strict action for the same.

The third step is to strengthen the legal framework to address such incidents effectively. The existing laws should be amended to provide for stricter penalties for police officials who violate the rights of individuals. There should also be a provision for compensation for the victims of such violations.