Ensure safety of inter-caste couple: HC to officials

The petitioner, Banupriya, had submitted that she belonged to Pillaimar community and she fell in love with Muruganathan, who belongs to Paraiyar community. They got married on April 21, after which she came out of her parental home. But now, she apprehended threat at the

hands of her relatives, especially Rengasamy and M Banu Krishnan. She sought the court to direct the authorities to provide protection to her, Muruganathan, and his family.

When the plea came up for hearing, the government advocate submitted that the jurisdictional police inquired those persons named in the petition, adding that there was no threat as such.

However, noting the government advocate’s submission, Justice GR Swaminathan said the court cannot casually close the case. “This court has to necessarily take judicial note of the fact that whenever an inter-caste marriage takes place, it gives rise to communal tensions. Quite a few murders have also taken place. They are notoriously known as honour killing. In fact, the Supreme Court as well as the Madras High Court have repeatedly condemned such honour killings,” the judge added.

Based on this, the court directed the revenue and police authorities to ensure the safety of the petitioner and her husband.