Adult woman free to marry person of her choice, says Bombay HC in interfaith marriage case
Noting that the woman is an adult, the court observed that she is “competent of taking a conscious decision and also making an informed choice”
The Bombay High Court has ruled that an adult woman has the complete freedom to choose her life partner, regardless of their faith, belief, religion, or caste. This decision came after a 21-year-old Hindu woman married a 21-year-old Muslim man in October, sparking a petition to the court. The couple had been in a relationship for several years and had the support of their parents, who were aware of their relationship from the beginning.
However, the woman's parents feared that she would face opposition from her family once married. When she sought protection from the police, her parents took her forcibly to Uttar Pradesh. The court recognized the woman as an adult capable of making informed decisions and noted that the right to marry a person of one's choice is an integral part of the fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The High Court agreed with the Supreme Court's previous orders and emphasized that the woman is free to exercise her choice and right to marry without any force or undue pressure. The court refrained from commenting on the police's actions at this time but stressed that they must adhere strictly to the law.
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