Archive · 17 Jun 2025
High Court Slams Authorities Over Runaway Couple SOPs
The High Court is upset because couples running away and seeking protection are going straight to court instead of using a new system set up to help them.
This system involves police and district officials to handle the cases first, before involving the court.
The court said the new system wasn't properly shared with the public.
This meant the court was flooded with cases, which takes up time.
The court is now requiring people to try the new system before coming to court.
Punjab and Haryana High Court criticized administrations for not implementing SOPs for runaway couple protection.
The court noted many couples bypass authorities and directly file petitions, overburdening the judiciary.
SOPs, framed in 2024, aimed to streamline how authorities handle protection pleas.
These SOPs included district-level nodal officers, inquiry officers, and a two-tier redressal system.
The court mandated future petitions include statements of prior attempts to seek administrative remedy.
- Who
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court and the administrations of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
- What
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court criticized administrations for failing to implement SOPs related to protection pleas by runaway couples.
- When
- The High Court's criticism came in a recent order, specifically on June 12th.
- Where
- Punjab and Haryana High Court; Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
- Why
- Due to a lack of awareness and implementation of SOPs designed to handle protection pleas, which led to an overburdened judiciary.
High Court Perspective
Government Perspective
Case Load
High Court Perspective
Judiciary is overburdened with cases that could be resolved administratively.
Government Perspective
Authorities are failing to implement SOPs to handle the cases.
- Court's Observation Date
- June 12
- SOPs Purpose
- To streamline handling of protection pleas
- SOPs Year
- 2024
- Appeal Timeframe
- 3 days
- Preliminary Inquiry Time
- 3 days