Gujarat HC Directs Banaskantha SP To Protect Adult Couple Fearing Threats In Vadgam After Marrying Against Families’ Wishes

The petitioners, both majors, married on 9 September 2026 against their families’ wishes and sought police protection, alleging a threat to their lives

Although they had made a representation to the police, the State submitted that the petitioners had later stated they faced no present threat and had withdrawn their protection request

The petitioners clarified that they apprehended no threat at Mehsana, but did fear a threat at Taluka Vadgam, Banaskantha District; the police inquiry relied on by the State had been conducted at Mehsana

The petition invoked Articles 14, 21 and 226 of the Constitution of India

The Court relied on Lata Singh v. State of U.P. & Anr., 2007 (1) G.L.H. 41, and Shakti Vahini v. Union of India, (2018) 7 SCC 192, in considering the protection sought by the adult petitioners

It directed the competent police authority to provide protection in accordance with law

The petitioners’ statement that they faced no threat at Mehsana did not resolve their distinct apprehension of danger at Vadgam. The Court noted that the police inquiry relied upon by the State had been conducted at Mehsana, while the petitioners’ complaint and asserted threat concerned Vadgam, Banaskantha District

Considering that both petitioners were majors and were married, and applying the cited Supreme Court decisions, the Court directed the Banaskantha Superintendent of Police to provide protection in accordance with law

The petition was disposed of and the Rule made absolute to that extent