Lesbian pair fears for life, HC grants protection

New Delhi: Two lesbians who want to marry each other but fear that their lives are under threat from their parents rushed to the Delhi high court on Monday which granted them police protection.

The lesbian couple approached the high court following the Supreme Court’s recent path-breaking judgement which held that consensual sex among adult homosexuals is not a crime.

The two women, aged 20 and 21, said they apprehend threat to life, liberty and security for their respective parents as they have been in a romantic relationship for around one-and-a half year and wish to live together as a same-sex couple.

They said their closeness was disapproved by their parents who asked them to separate due to which they have fled from their native place in Rajasthan and have come to reside in Delhi.

The plea was mentioned this morning by senior advocate Anand Grover before Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V.K. Rao, who allowed the prayer to list it on Monday itself.

When the matter came up before Justice Najmi Waziri, he directed the Delhi police to give due protection to the couple and said a police officer will visit or speak to the women daily.

The police counsel also assured the court that the issue of threat allegedly given by a police personnel to the couple’s advocate would be investigated and appropriate action would be taken.

In the petition filed through advocate Saurabh Chauhan, the women said they informed their parents about their relationship and desire to live together as a couple a few days after the Supreme Court’s September 6 verdict.

The apex court had recognised and affirmed the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) persons to privacy, dignity, autonomy and freedom of expression of sexual orientation and freedom to choose one’s partner under the Constitution, it said.