The Bombay High Court reaffirmed that an adult woman is free to choose her life partner regardless of religion, caste or belief. A vacation bench disposed of a protection petition filed by a 21-year-old woman who feared family opposition after an interfaith marriage.
Why the woman approached the court
The woman told the court that she married the partner of her choice on 19 October. The couple approached Dharavi police after the marriage to inform them of the decision and seek protection. She later moved the High Court, expressing concern about how the police had responded.
What the High Court said
Justices Advait M. Sethna and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale referred to the Supreme Court’s decision in Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M., which recognises the choice of a spouse as part of the liberty protected by Article 21 of the Constitution. The bench said an adult must be able to make that choice without force or pressure.
The bench made no findings about the police conduct alleged in the petition. It said the police were expected to act strictly in accordance with law and disposed of the petition with the consent of the woman’s counsel.
Photo: A.Savin, Wikipedia, cropped, Free Art License.
Read the Bombay High Court’s 9 November order (2026:BHC-AS:45505-DB, PDF)