"Adults have right to marry choice of partner": HC grants protection to Uluberia couple receiving threats

The Calcutta High Court affirmed that consenting adults have the right to marry according to their choice, emphasizing that religion cannot serve as a barrier to marriage. Justice Saugata Bhattacharya issued the ruling while hearing a petition filed by an interfaith couple from Uluberia scheduled to get married on July 29. Addressing concerns over potential disruptions, the court directed the local police to provide adequate security during the ceremony to prevent any breach of peace.

Represented by senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, the couple approached the High Court after receiving persistent threats and pressure against their upcoming marriage. The petition alleged that third-party threats, primarily from a local political organization, targeted the couple and threatened to harm their family business. The petitioners further stated that after the marriage registrar issued the official notice, the bride's father was summoned and pressured by external groups to object to the union.

Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Majumdar informed the court that police had already initiated security measures in the Uluberia area, keeping a close watch to ensure law and order remain intact. Justice Saugata Bhattacharya reiterated that Indian law fully protects consenting adults in choosing their spouses and ordered the police administration to submit a detailed status report to the court within a week.