Delhi HC Grants Protection To Runaway Couple, Asks Them To Take Joint Mediclaim Policy [Read Order]

Providing protection to a runaway couple, the Delhi High Court recently also directed the husband to take a joint mediclaim policy of Rs. 5 lakh for the couple.

In its order, Justice Najmi Waziri noted, "Petitioner no. 2 undertakes to subscribe to a mediclaim policy of Rs. 5 lacs for himself and his wife-petitioner no. 1. The policy shall be kept alive at least for the duration of the marriage. He further undertakes to create an equal share for the wife-petitioner no. 1, in all assets that he may inherit or acquire in future."

The couple had approached the court for protection, contending that even though they were legal adults and had married each other of their own volition, they apprehended threat to their life as their family members did not agree with their union.

During the hearing, the court was informed by Additional Public Prosecutor for the State, Mr. GM Farooqui that the matter will be looked into by the SHO of the concerned area and that the girl's father will be "duly sensitized" about the rights of the petitioners.

The court was further assured that the couple will be provided with the telephone numbers of three police officers from the jurisdiction of the concerned police station and that one of these officers will be a woman. These numbers, it was told, shall be kept operational at all times so that any exigency can be intimated on either of the numbers by the petitioners.

Taking stock of the arrangements made for their safety, the court noted, "A lady officer of the area concerned shall visit petitioner no. 1 everyday at her address. Mr. Farooqui submits upon instructions that any message received on the said numbers or on any other telephone number of the police either by way of a telephone call or SMS or Whatsapp message shall be immediately responded to. Additionally, the Beat Constable/Division Staff of the area shall regularly visit the residence of the petitioners and /or interact with them, on a daily basis for a month and report the same in the Roznamcha.

The safety and security of the petitioners shall be assessed by the SHO on a weekly basis with due endorsement of the same in the Roznamcha for a month. The Beat Constable shall record entries in his Beat Book. The petitioners shall furnish their address in Delhi to the SHO concerned."

Issuing notice to the father, the court also directed the husband to deposit at least Rs. 3,000 per month in the wife's account, as a way to ensure financial security. 

Read the Order Here