Adults have right to choose partners: HC orders security for interfaith wedding
The Calcutta High Court has directed West Bengal Police to provide adequate security and ensure that an interfaith marriage in Howrah is held without disruption
The Calcutta High Court has directed West Bengal Police to provide adequate security and ensure that an interfaith marriage in Howrah is held without disruption on Wednesday. The court said that āadult citizens of this country have the right to choose their life partnersā. The direction came during the hearing of a plea by an adult woman and man from different faiths, who sought police protection to solemnise their marriage. Their counsel told the court that they were facing opposition from local residents over their decision.
Read Full Story Acting on the petition on Monday, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya directed the police to provide adequate protection to the couple during the marriage ceremony. The court also ordered the police to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the wedding. āThis court does not find any hindrance even if it is a case of inter-faith marriage, since the petitioners are adult citizens of this country, and they have the right to choose their life partners,ā Justice Bhattacharyya observed.
Senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, appearing for the petitioners, told the court that a furore in the locality over the coupleās decision had led them to fear that they might be prevented from solemnising the marriage. Appearing for the state government, Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Mazumder placed before the court a communication from the inspector-in-charge of Uluberia police station, stating that certain steps had been taken to maintain peace in the area. The court directed the inspector-in-charge of Uluberia police station in Howrah to file a compliance report within seven days of the marriage being solemnised, and posted the matter for hearing on August 10.
Superintendent of Police, Howrah Rural, Amit Verma said on Tuesday that adequate steps were being taken in line with the high courtās order. Ends
The BriefWire