SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has disposed of an appeal seeking police security for a couple facing opposition from their families, directing the police to assess any potential threat and act accordingly.
The appeal, filed by Maria Rashid and another petitioner, challenged a February 21, 2025, order in which a Single Judge had rejected their request for police protection, citing doubts over whether their marriage had been legally solemnised.
A division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Puneet Gupta observed that if two individuals claim to be married and are living together, the burden of proof lies on those contesting the claim. However, the court noted that the writ petition lacked specific details about the alleged threats, such as the identities of those issuing them, the dates, and the mode of communication.
In disposing of the appeal, the court directed the in-Charge of the Women’s Cell at Rambagh Police Station to summon the petitioners, record their statements, and determine if they faced a genuine threat. If the police find a credible risk, they have been authorised to provide security as deemed necessary.
