The Supreme Court on Friday declined to grant immediate protection to a young inter-state couple seeking safety, directing the petitioner to move the Delhi High Court for appropriate relief.

The matter was mentioned before the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi under Article 32 in relation to a 19-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man who had left their homes and travelled to Delhi, alleging threats from the girl’s family. Counsel appearing in the matter submitted that the couple had faced difficulties even at the local police station and sought urgent protection from the Court.

During the hearing, the Bench questioned why the petition had been filed directly before the Supreme Court when the Delhi High Court was available within the same territorial jurisdiction. The Court emphasised that issues concerning personal liberty can be effectively addressed by High Courts and indicated that the petitioner should first approach the jurisdictional High Court.

The Court also engaged with the broader issue of runaway couples and the need for systemic solutions. It noted that such situations often involve complex familial and social dynamics, observing that “very very unfortunate scenes have been happening… parents are crying… all kinds of situations are created.”

While acknowledging the seriousness of concerns relating to the safety of the couple, the Court declined to pass protective directions at this stage. The Bench underlined that ad hoc individual interventions cannot substitute institutional frameworks. It observed, “Today… because of your compassion… you have done it. But how many members of the bar will do so… there has to be some mechanism.”

Declining to pass protective directions at this stage, the Court granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the Delhi High Court for protection as well as for raising broader issues relating to policy and safeguards for such couples.