Man, in interfaith relationship, moves Bombay High Court for partner’s release

A 20-year-old Muslim man has approached the Bombay High Court with a petition seeking the release of his partner from a shelter home and also seeking protection from threats by societal groups, and facilitation of their marriage as per their mutual choice.
In his petition, the man said that he had been in a consensual, committed relationship with a Hindu woman for the past several months.
“Both the Petitioner and the girl are adults and fully capable of making decisions about their lives,” the plea stated while adding that the girl had left her parental home and had come to reside with the petitioner out of her own free will.
However, the woman’s parents registered a complaint with the police which was “heavily influenced by the involvement of certain members of the Religious, Political Social Workers, Bajrang Dal, etc., who interfered in the matter, seeking to pressure the girl into severing her relationship with the petitioner and returning to her parental home,” the petition said.
After the registration of the complaint, the woman was called to the police station, where members of the Religious and Political Social Workers, Bajrang Dal, along with family members were present and the police officials, attempted to intimidate and coerce her into abandoning the relationship.
Despite this pressure, the woman expressed her desire to marry the Petitioner and refused to return to her parents. Subsequently, the police placed her in Shaskriya Stree Bhishekari Khikar Kendra, a Government Women’s Center (Hostel), Chembur, Mumbai against her will, claims the plea.
The couple apprehend physical harm so have prayed that the police be directed to ensure their safety against any threats or interference from individuals and ensure the solemnization of marriage.
The petition was filed through advocates Abid Abbas Sayyed and Asif Shaikh and was mentioned before the bench of Justices Bharti Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande on Wednesday. It will be heard on December 3.
The petition has attached a notarized affidavit dated November 16, showing the girl affirming that she has been living with the man as husband and wife for several months “of their own free will and without any coercion, undue influence, or pressure.”