Honour killing is very common in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. The reason is girls are not just a child for the parents, they are considered the pride of the family.
There are many instances where the girl either chooses family & marry the one her family wants to or marry the boy of her choice & get disowned by her family. In both situations the girl is at a loss because she has to make the decision where she will lose a part of herself.
Recently on 8th July 2021, the Gujarat High Court directed the parents of a 18 years old girl to let the girl live her life on her terms & no need to harsh her for marrying a boy of her own choice.
Case – Panchal Vijayakumar Rameshwar v. State of Gujarat
Coram – Justice RM Chhaya and Justice Nirzar S Desai
Fact of the case
The girl of 18 years old wanting to marry a boy of 19 years old after attaining the age of majority for marriage. She left her parental home & was living with the grandfather of the boy. They took such a step because she wasn’t able to keep a touch with the boy at her parental home & she wanted to marry the boy under Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.
Thereafter, the father filed a habeas corpus petition to get the custody of the girl.
But the girl put the condition that she will return to her parental home if she is allowed to talk to the boy on phone and after attaining the age of majority, she will marry the boy under Hindu marriage act, 1955.
Direction of the Court
The court directed the parents to allow the girl to marry the boy after attaining the age of majority and not to harass her just because of her choice
The court also directed the Police authority to safely drop the girl at her parental home & produce the report for the same.
In addition, the court directed the lady officer of Social Welfare Department to meet the girl & prepare annual report of her well being so that she won’t be harrassed at her parental house.
