Prayagraj : Reaffirming that parents cannot dictate an adult’s choice of spouse, the Allahabad high court on Tuesday directed the release of a 26-year-old Ghaziabad woman from her father’s custody and permitted her to live with her husband.
Court Upholds Woman’s Right to Choose Partner
Justice Jain issued a ruling on a habeas corpus petition after the state presented a 26-year-old woman in court on Tuesday, complying with a previous order from September 8. During the hearing, the woman stated that she had willingly entered into a marriage and accused her father of confining her at home against her will. She expressed a desire to live with her husband. The court affirmed her right to choose her life partner and instructed local police to provide adequate security for the couple. Additionally, the court warned the woman’s family against interfering in her marital decisions.
After interacting with all those concerned, the court said that it was well settled that a person who had attained majority was entitled to choose his or her life partner. “Such a choice is personal to the individual concerned and cannot be dictated or controlled by the wishes of her parents or other family members,” the court said. When the court interacted with the woman’s father, he maintained that her daughter was giving the statement under pressure and she was voluntarily living with her family.