Show Sensitivity, Don't Treat Consenting Adults This Way: Bombay High Court Orders Police Protection For Lesbian Couple

Following the Bombay High Court's intervention, the Maharashtra police has agreed to protect a lesbian couple from one of the petitioner's family.

Police should show sensitivity in such cases and not treat consenting adults this way, Justice Revati Mohite Dere heading the division bench observed after it was informed that one of the petitioners was forced to go back to her family.

Justice Dere recorded the State's assurance that the petitioners would be assigned a police officer whom they could reach out to in case of an emergency. Moreover, the second petitioner, a nurse, would be provided travel protection to collect her identification documents from her residence.

In the plea through advocate Vijay Hiremath, the petitioners contended that they were both educated consenting adults who wished to live together. While one of them is a 28 year old double graduate the other is a nurse. The duo fell in love after they met online.

The names of their place of residence and current location has been withheld for their protection. The police was also informed that their location should not reach the petitioner's family.

According to the plea, the 28 year old petitioner, who resided outside Maharashtra ran away from home in April and came to the second Petitioner's house in Maharashtra. The second petitioner's family accepted the couple.

However, it is alleged that the first petitioner was subsequently called to the police station and her statement was recorded over 9 hours. Apprehending a risk both petitioners left for Karnataka.

Even in Karnataka the first petitioner was summoned to the police station and threatened that the 2nd petitioner would be arrested if she didn't return to her family, it is alleged. Accordingly the first petitioner returned home and was taken into custody and made to give a false statement before the Magistrate.

Subsequently the first petitioner again left her home and wrote to the women's commission seeking protection. The petitioners are reunited in Maharashtra and living at an undisclosed location but approached the High Court stating that they feared for their lives