2025:UHC:1912-DB 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND AT NAINITAL THE HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE SRI G. NARENDAR AND THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE ALOK MAHRA WRIT PETITION (CRIMINAL) NO. 214 OF 2025 19TH MARCH, 2025 Between: Soba Rai and another …… Petitioners and State of Uttarakhand & others …… Respondents Counsel for the petitioners : Mr. Bilal Ahmed, learned counsel Counsel for the respondents : Mr. J.S. Virk, learned Deputy Advocate General with Mr. Rakesh Kumar Joshi, learned Brief Holder for State of Uttarakhand / respondent Nos. 1 to 3 The Court made the following: JUDGMENT: (per Hon’ble The Chief Justice Sri G. Narendar) Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, and learned Deputy Advocate General for the State of Uttarakhand. 2) It is submitted that both the petitioners belong to different religions and despite the religious differences 2025:UHC:1912-DB 2 the petitioners developed a liking for each other, and intend to marry each other in near future, and now both the petitioners are living together. Since the family members of the second petitioner, are against this marriage, they are giving out threats to kill both the petitioners in the name of saving the honour of the family. Petitioners submit that they are facing stiff resistance, and they seriously apprehend threat to their life and limb from the family members and other relatives of the second petitioner, and hence they are before this Court praying for protection. 3) The documents on record reveal that both the petitioners are majors, and it is also submitted by the learned Deputy Advocate General for the State that the first petitioner is a resident of Nagaland and the second petitioner is a resident of P.S. Laksar, District Haridwar, Uttarakhand. 4) In that view of the matter, and in view of the ruling of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Lata Singh Vs State of U.P. and another, (2006) 5 SCC 475, the petitioners have made out a case for grant of protection. 2025:UHC:1912-DB 3 5) The Station House Officer, Police Station Laksar, District Haridwar is directed to assess the threat, if any, to the life and limb of the petitioners, and provide necessary protection, if it is found that there is a threat to the life and limb of the petitioners. The SHO is further directed to summon the private respondents, and such other persons, who are inimically placed towards the marriage of the petitioners, and counsel them, in accordance with law. 6) The writ petition stands ordered accordingly. 7) As a sequel thereto, the miscellaneous petitions, if any pending, shall stand closed. ________________ G. NARENDAR, C.J. ____________ ALOK MAHRA, J. Dt: 19th MARCH, 2025 Negi HIMANS HU NEGI Digitally signed by HIMANSHU NEGI DN: c=IN, o=HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND, ou=HIGH COURT OF UTTARAKHAND, 2.5.4.20=bb3b60774012c1ef1dae20d13aaf1 16e73351fdaf6878326386908a7f90d5757, postalCode=263001, st=UTTARAKHAND, serialNumber=75BD9D0FB7F4A80990FC51 A722A6BC552D470EB4FD2F88DDF7C18DB 2A1524A4D, cn=HIMANSHU NEGI Date: 2025.03.24 10:59:36 +05'30'