Khap panchayat "dictate": Girl appears in HC, says not married

A division bench of justices V K Jain and Pratibha Rani disposed of the plea of 31-year-old youth after the girl, on her production before the court, said she is living with her family willingly and did not want to go with him.

"The girl admittedly is about 29 years old. We have interacted with her in chamber. She is categorical in saying that she does not want to go with the petitioner (youth).

"She is living with her mother without any pressure. In this regard, no further order is to be passed. The petition is disposed of," the bench said.

The youth, a resident of Ghitorni village here, had moved the court saying he had married the girl from city's Sultanpur village in September 2008 without the consent of their family members as it was "against the convention of people of Gujjar caste of villages Sultanpur and Ghitorni to marry boys or girls from these villages."

He had added that this convention is maintained under the "illegal dictate" of 'khap panchayats'.

The court had earlier directed the Delhi police to produce the girl before it after the boy had claimed that she had been confined by her family members who were threatening him with dire consequences under their khap panchayat's "command".

The girl appeared before the court today and said she has not married the youth and is residing with her family of her own free will.

The court also held in-chamber hearing with the girl, youth and their counsel. (More)