Woman moves HC, seeks custody of minor who eloped with her son

CHANDIGARH: A woman from Haryana’s Karnal district has moved a habeas corpus petition seeking custody of a minor girl who eloped with her 18-year-old son and is now lodged in a government protection home.
Saroj Devi, a resident of Bhaini Kalan village, has assured the Punjab and Haryana high court in her plea that she will provide the girl, who is about 14 years old, with education and other necessities of life until she attains legally marriageable age.The petitioner said she was ready to take responsibility for protecting the minor’s life and liberty. She also promised to get the girl married to her son once she turned 18 years old.
Taking cognisance of her plea, the vacation bench of Justice Amarjot Bhatti issued a notice to the Haryana government to file its reply, and adjourned the matter for July 5.
Saroj’s son was in a relationship with the minor, but the girl’s parents wanted to solemnise her marriage with another person against her wish. The girl left her house on May 30 and started living with the petitioner’s son at his home. The girl’s parents reported the matter to police, after which she was taken away and sent to the government protection home in Sonipat.
In her statement recorded in court, the girl expressed her desire to stay with her boyfriend and his family. The petitioner said when she met the minor at the Nari Niketan in Sonipat, the girl complained of rude behaviour of staff and told her that she felt insecure there. But the protection home in-charge refused to let her go, and told the petitioner that the girl’s custody could not be granted to her without a court order.