Image source: livelaw.com
The Calcutta High Court reaffirmed that courts cannot interfere if an adult woman marries and converts to another religion of her own free will. The Bench of Justices Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee was dealing with a petition moved by a father to trace his "missing" 19- year-old daughter.
According to a report filed by the Officer-in-charge of Murutia Police Station on December 7, 2020, one Asmaul Shaikh had married the petitioner's daughter Pallabi Sarkar. The report indicated that she had a relationship with Asmaul and was willingly living with Asmaul. The Court noted that despite a clear and clean report being furnished, the father harbours some suspicion. The High Court held that there cannot be any interference.
The Court also ordered that the petitioner and his daughter be allowed to interact in the presence of the concerned Additional District Judge and to make sure that there is no pressure which is brought to bear on Pallabi at the time of such interaction.