Kerala High Court Closes Jharkhand Inter-Faith Couple's Plea Against Threat From Relatives, Permits Them To Approach Police

Noting that there is no threat from relatives of the petitioners at present, Justice N. Nagaresh granted them liberty to approach the 3^rd respondent Station House Officer (SHO), Kayamkulam in case of any further threat from relatives. The SHO was directed to give protection as needed if the couple approached the officer.

When the writ petition came up for consideration, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioners are being threatened even now and that police officers came from Jharkhand in search of them.

The Government Pleader submitted that even though Police from Jharkhand had come to Kerala, they had returned in view of the pendency of the writ petition. It was also submitted that the District Superintendent of Police (2^nd respondent) had recorded the statement of the petitioners and that it was recorded that the petitioners got married on their own free will and volition, without the force and compulsion of any person and they propose to live in Kerala.

Recording the submissions and noting that the relatives of the petitioners are in Jharkhand, the Court passed the judgment in the case. It observed as below:

“Therefore, the writ petition is accordingly disposed of directing that if the petitioners face any further physical threats from their relatives or anyone claiming under them, the petitioners will be at liberty to approach the 3rd respondent (SHO) in which case the 3^rd respondent will look into the matter and give protection as is found necessary.”

Background

The writ petitioners, namely, Asha Verma and Mohammad Ghalib belong to two different religions and hails from Ramgarh district in Jharkhand. They have been in a relationship for the past ten years and due to threat from their families, they moved to Kerala on February 09, 2025.

They got married as per Islamic rites in Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district on February 11. Thereafter, they have been facing threat from their families. The first petitioner submitted that she is being coerced by her family to allege that she was abducted and stated that their lives are in danger.

The petitioners had approached the Court seeking police protection and asserted that they have a right to reside anywhere in the country and marry freely.

The previous Bench hearing the matter had passed an interim order granting police protection to the petitioner couple. Thereafter, the interim order was extended.

Case Title: Asha Verma v. Director General of Police

Case No: WPC 7928/2025

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 306