While observing that an adult has the right to stay wherever they like and with whomsoever they want, the Allahabad High Court recently granted protection to a couple allegedly facing threats from their family members.

A bench of Justices JJ Munir and Tarun Saxena directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Bareilly to ensure that no harm is caused to the life of the couple.

“An adult has got the right to stay wherever he/she likes and with whomsoever he/she wants,” the court said in its order dated March 25.

In this case the Apex Court had observed that the choice of an individual is an inextricable part of dignity, for dignity cannot be thought of where there is erosion of choice. 

“If the right to express one’s own choice is obstructed, it would be extremely difficult to think of dignity in its sanctified completeness. When two adults marry out of their volition, they choose their path; they consummate their relationship; they feel that it is their goal and they have the right to do so,” the court said.

The Supreme Court had issued various preventive, remedial and punitive measures to curb the practice of honour killing.