Supreme Court Grants Protection to Woman Apprehending Threat to Life from Family [Read Order]

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Delhi police to provide protection to a 20-year old woman who alleged that she is facing threat to life from her own family members.

A vacation bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Prashant Kumar Mishra also interacted the woman who appeared -in person before the court after she initially claimed on video conferencing that she faced threat to her life.

The woman claimed that she had run away from her home and was facing life threats from her family members. The woman appeared before the court and submitted that her brother is following her and she would be forced to return home against her will. The woman submitted that she lives in Varanasi and urged the court to provide her protection.

The top court was hearing a plea against Madhya Pradesh High Court order cancelling the anticipatory bail granted to a man accused of kidnapping her. The woman informed the court that she intends to return to Varanasi.

The top court noted that man’s anticipatory bail was cancelled by the high court after learning that he was not cooperating with the investigation and also not responding to the investigating officer, when his presence was sought.

Upon hearing submissions by the counsel, the bench said it is not willing to interfere with the high court order and directed the petitioner to surrender before police within two days.

The bench also directed the Tilak Marg SHO in New Delhi to provide protection to the woman and arrange for her return to Varanasi on Tuesday itself.

The top court clarified that the petitioner can seek bail as permissible under the law and it should be decided by the concerned court as expeditiously as possible without being influenced by the observations made in the present order.

[Read Order]