Punjab and Haryana HC directs Palwal SP to hold inquiry into marriage of 19-year-old girl with 67-year-old man

Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 2

Shocked by the marriage of a 19-year-old girl with a 67-year-old man, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday ordered Palwal Superintendent of Police to hold an inquiry after constituting a team of officers.

For the purpose, Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri set a week’s deadline.

Justice Puri asserted it was a shocking case where protection was being sought by a girl of 19 and a man of 67. It was not clear from the pleadings or the arguments by their counsel whether the man had solemnized first marriage or multiple marriages.

The circumstances under which a girl of 19 had married an old man, too, were not clear.

“Prima facie this court is of the view that there is some suspicion with regard to the marriage. The possibility of forced marriage can also be not ruled out at this stage,” Justice Puri added.

Directing Palwal SP to forthwith depute a team of police officials, including a woman official, to reach out to the girl before ensuring her protection, Justice Puri added the team would also inquire into the entire matter.

It would not only look into the present marriage, but also the man’s background and produce the girl before the ilaqa magistrate for recording her statement. The magistrate, in turn, would record her statement after ascertaining her voluntariness before filing his affidavit in the court.

“So far as the protection to be granted to the girl is concerned, the same shall be done forthwith,” Justice Puri added before fixing the case for further hearing on August 10.