Thu Dec 26 03:57:04 UTC 2024: ## Bombay High Court Orders Safe House for Interfaith Couple, Ushering in New Era of Protection in Maharashtra

**Mumbai, December 26, 2024** – The Bombay High Court has issued a landmark ruling, ordering the immediate relocation of a 23-year-old Hindu-Muslim couple to a government-designated safe house. This decision follows the Maharashtra State Social Justice and Home departments’ recent announcement of safe houses in every district for interfaith and inter-caste couples facing threats.

The couple, who met while studying, sought the court’s intervention after facing violent opposition from the man’s family. The woman was forced to leave her job due to safety concerns. The High Court, highlighting the newly established safe house program, directed the couple’s transfer by 6 pm on December 19th, the same day the hearing took place. The court also ordered additional police protection for the safe house and expedited review of the man’s application for police protection to commute to work.

This ruling marks a significant step in addressing the issue of honor killings and violence against interfaith couples in Maharashtra. The court’s action was spurred by a growing awareness of the problem, highlighted by a 2023 report revealing a rise in caste-based honor killings across India. While official figures report 18 honor killings in 2022, the actual number is believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting.

The initiative to establish safe houses follows a suggestion by the High Court in December 2024 and builds upon the work of organizations like the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), which established a safe house in Satara earlier this year. The court’s decision emphasizes the need for comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including dedicated helplines, legal aid, and counseling services for couples in need of protection. The SOPs were partially inspired by a 2018 Supreme Court judgment addressing honor crimes and the lack of authority of khap panchayats.

The Bombay High Court’s decisive action represents a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and well-being of interfaith and inter-caste couples in Maharashtra, setting a precedent for other states to follow.

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