Inter-Caste Marriage And Police Duties

This is a free and democratic country, and once a person becomes a major he or she can marry whosoever he/she likes. If the parents of the boy or girl do not approve of such inter-caste or inter-religious marriage the maximum they can do is that they can cut off social relations with the son or the daughter, but they cannot give threats or commit or instigate acts of violence and cannot harass the person who undergoes such inter-caste or inter-religious marriage. We, therefore, direct that the administration / police authorities throughout the country will see to it that if anybody or girl who is major undergoes inter-caste or inter-religious marriage with a women or man who is a major, the couple are not harassed by anyone nor subjected to threats or acts of violence, anyone who gives such threats or harasses or commits acts of violence either himself or at his instigation, is taken to task by instituting criminal proceedings by the police against such persons and further stern action is taken against such person as provided by law.

Duties of Police Official Towards Runaway Marriage Couple –

i ) Whenever any intimation is received by the SSP/SP of concerned District regarding the marriage of a young couple with a threat and an apprehension of infringement of the right of life and liberty by the police at the instance of the family members of one of the spouses, the SSP/SP concerned will consider the representation and will himself/herself look into the matter and issue necessary directions to maintain a record of the said intimation under Chapter 21 of the Punjab Police Rules.

ii) On receipt of abovesaid intimation of marriage by any police officer, necessary directions will be issued to the concerned Police Station to take necessary steps in accordance with law to inquire into the matter by contacting the parents of both and girl- The matter regarding age, consent of the girl and grievance of her family will be determined-In the eventuality of any complaint of kidnapping or abduction having been received from any of the family members of the girl generally the boy (husband) will not be arrested unless the until the prejudicial statement is given by the girl (wife) – Arrest should generally be deferred or avoided on the immediate receipt of a complaint by the parents or family, members of the girl taking into consideration the law laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Joginder Kumar’s case (supra);

iii) If the girl is major (above 18 years), she should not forcibly be taken away by police to be handed over to her parents against her consent- Criminal force against the boy should also be avoided.

iv) So far as the threat to a young couple of the criminal force and assault at the hands of the private persons is concerned, it would always be open to the police to initiate action if any substantive offence is found to have been committed against the couple;

v) In case of any threat to the breach of the peace at the hands of the family members of the couple it will always be open to the State authorities to take up the security procedures in accordance with law;

vi) It will not be open to the “runaway couple” to take law in their hands pursuant to the indulgence shown by the police on the basis of their representation sent to the SSP/SP of the concerned District;

vii) If despite the intimation having been sent to the SSP/SP there is apprehension or threat of violation of the right of personal life and liberty or free movement, the remedy of approaching the High Court should be the last report;

viii) In case there is an authority constituted for issuance of marriage certificate as per the law laid down by Supreme Court in Seema’s case (supra) in the concerned districts, a couple of so-called ‘runaway marriage’ should get the marriage registered in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court and a copy of the same should also be forwarded to the police along with the representations or any time subsequent thereto.

ix). Nothing said hereinabove will prevent the immediate arrest of a person who fraudulently entices a girl with false promises and exploits her sexually as per the statement of the girl.