Court tells cops to protect runaway couple

Coming to the rescue of a runaway couple who married against their parents' wishes, the Delhi High Court Monday asked police to protect the two as they were apprehending threats from the woman's family.

Justice Veena Birbal issued notice to the Delhi Police commissioner, father and mother of the woman, aged 22 years, and asked Station House Officer of Aman Vihar in west Delhi to file a status report on the age of the woman.

The court asked police to verify the age of woman through her school certificate to know whether she was eligible to get married. The matter has now been posted for Aug 27.

"In case of any threat SHO (Aman Vihar) be informed. The petitioner (woman) shall provide date of birth proof so that necessary age verification of girl can be done," the court said.

The couple approached the court for protection from the woman's family members, who allegedly threatened the couple.

The plea said the two lived in the same neighbourhood and fell in love with each other in 2010 and decided to get married. Both of them tried to convince their parents for the marriage, however, the woman's family did not agree.

The two lovers then ran away from their homes but were apprehended by the woman's family. The youth was beaten up brutally by her three brothers, the plea alleged.

The woman and the man aged 21 years, eloped again and married June 22 in a temple, the petition said.

Advocate Utkarsh, appearing for the couple, sought protection for them and alleged that family members of the woman threatened them and the man's family members of youth with arms.