The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that married individuals who elope from their parental homes to enter into live-in relationships are violating their parents’ right to dignity and bringing dishonor to their families. Justice Sandeep Moudgil emphasized that such couples cannot be granted police protection under Article 226 of the Constitution, as it would amount to the court indirectly endorsing these “illicit relationships”, reported Bar and Bench.
Justice Moudgil made these observations while hearing petitions from couples seeking protection despite their existing marriages. The judge highlighted that the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to live with dignity. He stressed that by running away from their homes, the petitioners were not only tarnishing their families’ reputations but also infringing on their parents’ right to live with dignity and honor.
The court underscored that the freedom guaranteed by Article 21 must be exercised within the bounds of the law. Justice Moudgil noted that granting protection to such couples would indirectly support the practice of bigamy, which is an offense under Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and would violate the rights of the other spouse and children.
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