SC issues notices to Centre, Delhi govt

New Delhi, February 22

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Centre, Delhi government and the Delhi Police Commissioner on a petition filed by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) seeking direction to provide security to inter-caste couples facing threats from their families and vigilante groups.

A Bench headed by Justice AK Sikri asked the Centre, Delhi government and the Police Commissioner to respond to the petition in two weeks after DCW counsel Sunil Fernandes said 12 inter-caste or community "runaway couples" were facing threats to their lives as their marriages were opposed by their families, 'khaps' and local community.

Maintaining that threat to these couples violated their fundamental right to choose their life partner, the DCW sought a direction to the authorities to provide safe house and round-the-clock police protection to these couples who are residing in temporary private accommodation arranged by the commission since February 1. — TNS