Bombay High Court allows Hindu woman in live-in relationship with Muslim man to choose her path
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday permitted a Hindu woman, who is in a live-in relationship with a Muslim man, to make her own decisions regarding her life, despite objections from her parents who alleged coercion and undue influence.
A Bench comprising Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande refused to grant custody of the woman to her partner but acknowledged her autonomy, stating, “We are setting her on liberty...Let her do what she wants. She is of the opinion that it’s her life. We can only wish her luck.”
The Court addressed concerns raised by the woman’s parents and their counsel, who argued that she was acting under emotional sway and undue influence. Despite the Court's earlier suggestion that the woman stay with her parents for a year to reconsider her decision, she declined, expressing her clear intent to continue living independently.
The woman was moved to a government shelter home in Chembur following complaints from her parents and members of the Bajrang Dal, who opposed her relationship. The police had intervened, placing her in the Shaskriya Stree Bhishekari Khikar Kendra (Government Women’s Hostel).
Subsequently, the woman's partner filed a petition in the High Court, contending that her relocation to the shelter home violated her autonomy. The petition asserted that the woman had repeatedly affirmed her decision to live with him was voluntary, informed, and free from any external pressure or coercion.
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Woman threatens to end life as police official refuses to accept love proposal, FIR registered
Bengaluru (PTI): A woman was booked on charges of obstructing a police inspector from discharging his official duties and threatening to commit suicide if he did not accept her love proposal, police said on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old inspector attached to the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station here alleged that the woman repeatedly harassed him, they said.
According to his complaint, the harassment began on October 30, when he started receiving calls from an unknown woman from multiple phone numbers.
During these calls, she allegedly spoke incoherently and claimed to have close links with several highly placed individuals, including the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Home Minister and other political leaders.
Police said the woman sent photographs via WhatsApp purportedly showing herself with these dignitaries and claimed she could use their influence to compel the inspector to accept her proposal. She also allegedly threatened to use her contacts against him if he refused.
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The inspector said that he advised her to visit the police station and submit a written complaint if she had any grievance. However, she did not do so and instead continued to repeatedly call and send messages, which disturbed his official duties, the FIR said.
According to the FIR, on November 7, the woman allegedly visited his office and handed over an envelope containing some tablets along with handwritten letters. The letters contained emotionally charged and inappropriate content, and the woman claimed they were written using her blood, indicating obsessive behaviour.
Despite being clearly informed that the number she was contacting was an official departmental number meant for public service, she allegedly continued making unnecessary calls and messages, causing mental harassment and obstruction to his day-to-day duties, he alleged.
During the inquiry, police learnt that the woman had allegedly exhibited similar behaviour with other police and government officials in the past, it stated.
On December 12, she allegedly went to his police station and shouted and threatened to commit suicide and ruin the inspector's career if he did not respond to her proposal, prompting him to lodge a complaint.
"Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the woman under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. The matter is under investigation," police said.
