Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 23: The Bombay High Court directed Vakola police to accompany a 31-year-old woman from a minority community back to the place she is residing with her partner outside Maharashtra. The woman had left her home against her family’s wishes to marry a friend of another faith.

The woman appeared before the court on October 10 during a habeas corpus petition filed by her father, who alleged she had gone missing since April 18 and expressed concerns about her safety. After reviewing a video and conducting in-chambers interviews, the court found that the woman was an adult, acting of her own free will, and was three months pregnant. She confirmed she wishes to marry her partner, but her parents are opposing the marriage.

The court dismissed the petition, stating the woman is entitled to make her own decisions. Due to the strained family relations, the judges ordered police protection to ensure her safe return to her partner’s residence. Vakola police were directed to coordinate with local authorities at her place of residence to provide ongoing security.

The court also allowed the father limited interaction with his daughter but acknowledged the tension between them.