Just married: 76-yr-old man, 35-year-old wife seek protection as relatives play spoilsport

The High Court has directed Haryana Police to grant protection to the couple and ensure that they are not harassed by their relatives.

The petitioner, Neelam Rani got married to Ram Nath a few weeks ago. Ram Nath hails from Kurukshetra. His first wife had died of an ailment and the couple had no children.

Neelam Rani was a divorcee and has a daughter from her first marriage.

The parents and relatives of the two were strongly against the match. In the petition, Neelam Rani and Ram Nath have apprehended a threat to their lives and liberty from the relatives of both the parties.

The court questioned the counsel as to why Ram Nath had married again at such an old age. Advocate Balraj Singh Dhull replied that the two were not minors and that they were happy with each other.

“They have got married with consent and don’t have any problem with it,” Dhull said.

The court further questioned as to how the husband would be able to bear the expenses of his wife and her daughter. The advocate submitted that Ram Nath was receiving Rs 30,000-40,000 every month as interest on a rented out plot.

Dhull said Ram Nath had sufficient money to bear the expenses of his wife and her daughter.

The woman stated that she had got married to Ram Nath with her consent but her relatives were threatening them of dire consequences.

The court directed Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police to grant the couple adequate protection and ensure that their life and liberty is protected.

In Haryana, the number of runaway couples seeking police protection against each other’s families has shot up by 45 to 50 per cent.