Claiming a voluntary marriage under Muslim personal law and threats from relatives, the petitioners sought police protection.
Judge / Bench — Hon’ble Mr. Justice Shahzad Azeem, Judge
After examining their age documents, the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court emphasised that the choice of two consenting adults is protected under Articles 19 and 21 and cannot be subordinated to family or community disapproval. It disposed of the writ with directions for adequate security in accordance with Lata Singh and Shakti Vahini. Relief was qualified by official verification of majority and compliance with the applicable marriage law, and any existing FIR could continue to be investigated. The disposal expressly authenticates neither the marriage nor the petitioners’ age. It is a protective order safeguarding adult choice, rather than a declaration resolving matrimonial status or immunity from criminal process.
Case — Mareem Begum & Anr. v. UT of J&K and Others · WP(C) No. 3321/2026 · 2026-10-14 · Jammu wing
Advocates appearing — Petitioners — Mr. Qayoom Chowdhary, Advocate. Respondents — Ms. Sagira Jaffar, Advocate, vice Ms. Monika Kohli, Sr. AAG.