3 hrs ago
Allahabad High Court Upholds Adult’s Choice of Life Partner
A court in Allahabad considered a case involving a married couple.
The wife, Sonika Chauhan, is Hindu, and her husband, Akbar Khan, is Muslim.
She told the court that she married him voluntarily and wanted to live with him.
Her father said she was being pressured and had objected to the marriage.
The court found no evidence that Sonika was being forced or threatened by her husband.
It said adults have the right to choose whom they live with and marry.
The court allowed the couple to live together wherever they chose.
It also ordered the police to help keep them safe and told her family not to interfere.
The Allahabad High Court allowed 26-year-old Sonika Chauhan to live with her Muslim husband, Akbar Khan.
The court said an adult’s choice of life partner cannot be controlled by parents or other family members.
Chauhan said she voluntarily married Khan under the Special Marriage Act in 2022 and wanted to remain with him.
Her father alleged that she had been blackmailed and objected to the marriage because Khan is Muslim.
The court ordered authorities to protect the couple and directed Chauhan’s family not to interfere with their matrimonial life.
- Who
- The Allahabad High Court, Sonika Chauhan, Akbar Khan, Chauhan’s father Lakshman Singh Chauhan, and Uttar Pradesh authorities.
- What
- The court allowed Chauhan to live with Khan and protected their right to choose their marital life.
- Where
- The case involved Ghaziabad and proceedings before the Allahabad High Court in Prayagraj.
- When
- The order was issued on Tuesday; Khan filed the habeas corpus petition in September 2025.
- Why
- The court found no evidence that Chauhan was acting under coercion, undue influence, or intimidation, and said her choice was protected by Article 21.
The Couple’s Position
The Family’s Position
Choice and Consent
The Couple’s Position
Sonika Chauhan told the court that she voluntarily married Akbar Khan and wanted to live with him. The court found no evidence of coercion or undue influence.
The Family’s Position
Lakshman Singh Chauhan claimed his daughter had been blackmailed and was acting under Khan’s influence. He also objected to the marriage because Khan is Muslim.
Police Protection
The Couple’s Position
Khan alleged that police officers were not following the court’s directions and were asking the couple to stay with relatives instead of returning home.
The Family’s Position
The Indirapuram police station officer denied the allegation and said authorities were complying with the order and would safely take the couple wherever they wished to go.
Key facts
- Age
- Sonika Chauhan is 26 years old.
- Marriage
- Chauhan said she married Akbar Khan voluntarily in 2022 under the Special Marriage Act.
- Petition
- Akbar Khan filed a habeas corpus petition in September 2025.
- Police action
- Ghaziabad Police arrested Khan and later invoked the Uttar Pradesh Control of Goondas Act against him.
- Court finding
- The court said there was no evidence that Chauhan was acting under coercion, undue influence, or intimidation.
- Protection order
- Authorities were directed to ensure the couple’s safety and provide police assistance if required.
- Family direction
- Chauhan’s family was ordered not to interfere with the couple’s peaceful matrimonial life.
Quotes
Allahabad High Court
The court hearing the habeas corpus petition.
“Such a choice is personal to the individual concerned and cannot be dictated or controlled by the wishes of her parents or other family members.”
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“They are asking us to go stay with our relatives because it is not safe to return. We have already been through a lot. We just want to go home.”
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Station house officer, Indirapuram police station
The Ghaziabad police officer responding to the couple’s allegation.
“We are complying with the order of the honourable High Court. The couple are on their way back from Allahabad at the moment. We will ensure that they safely reach wherever they wish to go.”
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Sources
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