By Kawanpreet Kaur 

The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted protection to a minor girl who was beaten by her father and was evicted from the house for refusing to marry an old person against her wishes. Apprehending danger to her life, the minor started living with her family friend. The Court, in its capacity as parens patriae, examined what is in the best interest of the minor and directed the State to ensure the protection of the lives and liberty of the minor girl and her family friend at the hands of the family members of the minor. It also directed the state to depute a Child Welfare police Officer to produce the minor before the Child Welfare Committee constituted under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. (XYZ v. State of Punjab & Ors.- CRWP- 5742-2024) 

Click here to read/download the order.