The Bombay high court, in strict words, directed a woman’s father to produce her in court in a Habeas Corpus (a writ requiring a person to be brought before a judge or court) petition on Thursday. The woman wasn’t produced despite clear directions, said the HC. The 22-year-old petitioner has alleged that his 18-year-old wife was forcefully taken away by her father, who stated before the police that she was a minor. The court directed the woman’s father to produce her on September 20, failing which it will ensure that she is present.
A division bench comprising Justice P.V. Hardas and Justice P.N. Deshmukh was hearing a Habeas Corpus petition, which was issued during the last hearing on September 3 this year. “Despite clear directions in Habeas Corpus, you (father) haven’t produced the woman. If you don’t produce her on the next date, we will ensure that she is before us,” said Justice Hardas. He then directed her father’s counsel to produce her on September 20.
The father’s counsel also tried submitting before the court that she was a minor, however, Justice Hardas said, “First you produce her before the court, then we’ll examine all your contentions.”
According to the petition, Naresh and Madhushree (names changed) were in a relationship and got married under Hindu customs at a temple on June 29. On the following day, the couple approached the police to lodge a complaint. However, according to the petition, the police’s callousness lead to the woman’s family taking her away forcefully from her husband.