Allahabad High Court raps Uttar Pradesh police over registering FIRs against couples, quashes FIR

The court observed that no one has the right to tell a major where he or she will stay or with whom he or she will live, marry or spend his or her life.

Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court came down heavily upon the Uttar Pradesh police for registering FIRs against adult couples who married against the wishes of their families as it quashed an FIR against a couple following a complaint by the woman’s father who claimed that his daughter had been abducted and forced into marriage.

A division bench comprising Justice J JMunir and Justice Tarun Saxena made the observation recently while quashing the FIR against the couple.

The Court said that it was nobody’s business to tell a major where they will stay, with whom they will live, marry or spend their life.

It said that a disturbing trend was being witnessed these days where the police have been registering FIRs and chasing couples instead of investigating crimes.

The Court said that the action of the police in fact was a ‘disservice’ and that such actions were not only illegal but also in some cases might amount to offences.

It added that chasing young couples, at times with ulterior motives to forcibly separate them and send the bride back to the parents, are illegal actions.

The Court directed the state police chief and the additional chief secretary (Home) to take remedial action and warned that it would be forced to intervene if remedial action was not taken.

The Court also issued a writ of mandamus restraining the woman’s father and other respondents from entering the couple’s home or disturbing their life.