S. No. 13 Regular Cause List IN THE HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH AT SRINAGAR WP(C) No. 725/2025 Roohit Akbar Lone and Anr. …Appellant/Petitioner(s) Through: Mr. Bhat Jamsheed, Advocate Vs. UT of J&K and Ors. ...Respondent(s) Through: CORAM: HON’BLE MR JUSTICE RAJESH SEKHRI, JUDGE O R D E R 02.04.2025 1. The petitioners seek a direction to the official respondents to provide them police protection as they apprehend danger to their lives at the hands of private respondents. It is submitted that petitioners are major and have entered into wedlock out of free will and volition. As per the date of birth certificates annexed with the petition, both the petitioners have already attained majority. Copy of marriage agreement is placed on record. 2. Hon’ble Supreme Court in Lata Singh v. State of UP. and anr., 2006 (5) SCC 475 has observed that in the absence of there being any legal impediment, the petitioners are entitled to marry according to their choice and the official respondents are duty bound to protect their life and liberty. 3. Any person having attained the age of majority is entitled to contract the marriage as per his/her wishes and police agency is obliged to protect the life and liberty, if approached. However, it appears that petitioners have not approached the official respondents for the indulgence in the matter for providing protection to them. 4. In this view of the matter, the present petition is disposed of, at this stage, by providing that in case petitioners approach the official respondents, they shall look into the matter and consider providing security to them. This Court has not expressed any opinion about the validity or authenticity of the marriage and the documents/certificates annexed with the petition. This order, however, shall not come in the way of the official respondents for investigation of FIR/criminal complaint, if any, filed against the petitioners. 5. The writ petition is, accordingly, disposed of. (RAJESH SEKHRI) JUDGE SRINAGAR 02.04.2025 Manzoor Manzoor Ul Hassan Dar I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document Srinagar 04.04.2025 11:09