High Court refuses police protection for minor in live-in relationship

A 16-year-old girl and her adult partner approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, claiming they faced intimidation and violence from the girl's relatives after revealing their intention to marry after she reached adulthood. They asked the court to order police protection and to prevent further family interference. Justice Sumeet Goel, relying on an earlier division-bench ruling, held that the law does not permit minors to seek protection for live-in relationships, as such orders would implicitly condone a prohibited arrangement.

The judgment stressed that minors are deemed incapable of making independent decisions and that the statutory framework aims to shield them from exploitation. The court therefore dismissed the petition and directed the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, to take appropriate action under the law.