The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed police authorities to ensure protection for an inter-caste married couple facing alleged threats from family members.
Justice B.P. Sharma passed the order on February 13, 2026 in Writ Petition No. 4685 of 2026, Smt. N.D. & Others v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Others. The Court relied on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Lata Singh v. State of U.P., (2006) 5 SCC 475.
Background
The petitioners approached the High Court seeking protection from coercive action. They requested a writ of mandamus restraining the respondents from acting on a complaint filed by respondent No.3. They also sought directions to prevent harassment by respondent No.2 and his relatives.
Petitioner No.1 belongs to the Yadav community. Petitioner No.2 belongs to the Kushwaha community. Both are Hindus. They solemnized their marriage on January 9, 2026 at Hindu Vivah Sansthanam Samiti, Bhopal, in accordance with Hindu rites.
They placed their marriage certificate and marksheets on record. These documents showed that they are majors aged 23 and 19 years respectively.
Allegations
The petitioners alleged that family members attempted to initiate criminal proceedings against them. They claimed that respondent No.3, father of petitioner No.1, lodged a false complaint against petitioner No.2. They further alleged continued harassment and pressure to dissolve the marriage.
Submissions
Shri Rambihari Gautam, counsel for the petitioners, argued that the couple had legally married of their own free will. He submitted that interference with their marital choice violates their dignity and liberty. He relied on Lata Singh v. State of U.P. and Another, (2006) 5 SCC 475 and Shakti Vahini v. Union of India and Others, (2018) 7 SCC 192.
Shri Yadvendra Dwivedi, Panel Lawyer, appeared for the State. He opposed the petition. However, he did not dispute that the petitioners are majors who married voluntarily.
Court’s Observations
The Court noted that it was undisputed that the petitioners are adults. It also recorded that attempts were being made to initiate criminal proceedings against them.
Justice B.P. Sharma referred to the Supreme Court’s observations in Lata Singh. The Supreme Court held that a major is free to marry a person of his or her choice. It further clarified that no law prohibits inter-caste marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act or otherwise. The Supreme Court also directed police authorities to protect adult couples from harassment, threats, or violence.
Direction
Relying on this legal position, the High Court directed the Superintendent of Police (respondent No.2) to examine the complaint and take appropriate steps in accordance with law. The Court ordered that necessary protection be provided to safeguard the petitioners’ life and liberty.
