Court orders police protection for woman
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 23 2026: A division bench of the High Court of Manipur has directed SP Imphal West to provide police protection to a 30-year-old woman who was "detained" by her family against her will.

The police protection shall be provided to her until she leaves Imphal for New Delhi, the HC directed the Imphal West SP yesterday.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice M Sundar and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh was hearing a petition filed by one Ashish Joseph of South Delhi when it issued the direction.

Ashish Joseph and the woman met in Delhi and they have been in a relationship for over four years.

They were planning to get married, and both families had met, said the petition.

In March 2026, the woman was asked by her mother to come to Imphal for wedding related purchases.

She arrived at Imphal on March 29, but thereafter she was detained by her family against her will.

Instead of making preparations for the wedding, the woman was being forced by her parents to completely detach herself from him, alleged the petitioner.

The detention of the woman came to light on May 23 when she managed to secure a phone and call him, added the petitioner.

Ashish first approached the Supreme Court.

During the hearing before the division bench of the High Court of Manipur, the woman was produced and her statements were recorded.

After hearing the statements, the Court observed that the woman wants to go back to Delhi, pursue her career there and make her own personal choice with regard to marriage.

Further observing that the woman intends to marry the petitioner, the Court also noted that she has also pleaded to the Court to not take her family to task even though her mobile phone and laptop were forcibly taken away and she wasn't allowed to go out of her house alone for nearly three months.

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel also submitted to the Court that the petitioner, Ashish, will arrive at Imphal on June 23 and he will return to Delhi with the woman.

In the Court, the woman too stated that she was willing to go to Delhi with Ashish.

The Court also took note that the petitioner [Ashish] has also received threats.

After hearing all the submissions, the Court directed the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West, to provide adequate police protection and "ensure that petitioner [Ashish] and detainee [woman] are not harmed in any manner" .

The Court further directed the police to go to the residence of the woman and secure her personal artifacts, including her educational marksheets and certificates.

The police shall provide protection to the woman and the petitioner until they leave Imphal, and ensure that they board the flight to Delhi, directed the Court. Until they leave for Delhi, the woman will stay in a place of her choice, said the Court.

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