117 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Criminal Writ Petition No. 6581 of 2026 (O&M) Date of Decision: 02.06.2026 Mukta Sharma and another .......... Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and others .......... Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARKESH MANUJA Present: Mr. Ankit Rana, Advocate for the petitioners. (Through Video-Conferencing) **** HARKESH MANUJA, J. (ORAL) Present criminal writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed by the petitioners praying for protection to their life and liberty, in view of the marriage solemnized by them against the wishes of respondent Nos. 4 to 8. [2] Upon advance notice, Mr. Gunjan Mehta, Additional Advocate General, Punjab, appears on behalf of respondent Nos. 1 to 3. Requisite copies of the petition have already been supplied to him by the learned counsel for the petitioners. [3] Paper-book reveals that marriage of petitioner Nos. 1 & 2 was solemnized on 28.05.2026. The documents annexed by the petitioners with the petition including their Aadhar Cards (Annexures P-1 and P-2) show that both are major and duly identified by their counsel, but apprehending danger to their life and liberty at the hands of respondent Nos. 4 to 8. DINESH KUMAR 2026.06.03 12:45 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRWP No. 6581 of 2026 (O&M) [2] [4] Apprehending threat to their life and liberty, petitioners have already approached respondent No. 2 by way of representation dated 28.05.2026 (Annexure P-5). [5] Accordingly, the present petition is disposed off, with a direction to respondent No. 2-Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, to look into the representation dated 28.05.2026 (Annexure P-5) and in case he/she finds any threat perception to the petitioners, appropriate steps be taken to protect their life and liberty and also ensure that no harm is caused to the petitioners by forcibly taking them in custody on the allegations that petitioner No. 1 has been kidnapped, abducted or raped by petitioner No. 2. [6] However, it is made clear that this order may not be construed as expression of an opinion on legality and validity of the marriage of the petitioners. [7] In case any criminal case is pending against petitioner No. 2, this order shall not be any hindrance for the Investigating Agency to proceed in accordance with law. [8] Pending applications(s), if any, shall also stand disposed off. June 02, 2026 ( HARKESH MANUJA ) 'dk kamra' JUDGE Whether Speaking/reasoned Yes/No Whether Reportable Yes/No DINESH KUMAR 2026.06.03 12:45 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document