SC Issues Guidelines To Courts For Protection Of Couples

It gives me extreme happiness to note that the Apex Court which is the last bastion of hope for the litigants has in a most progressive, path breaking and pragmatic stand decided in a learned, laudable, landmark, logical and latest judgment titled Devu G Nair vs The State of Kerala & Ors. in Criminal Appeal No of 2024 Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No 1891 of 2023 and cited in Neutral Citation No.: 2024 INSC 228 that was pronounced as recently as on March 11, 2024 has issued a slew of most commendable, most convincing, most cogent, most courageous and so also creditworthy guidelines for the courts to implement most strictly while dealing with the petitions that are filed by the couples who are seeking protection and advised against making any roving enquiry into the nature of their relationships. It is most enthralling to note that the Bench of Apex Court comprising of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said that the guidelines must be followed "in letter and spirit" as a "mandatory minimum measure" to secure the fundamental rights and so also the dignity of intimate partners, including the members of LGBTQ+ community. The Apex Court in the fitness of things very rightly cautioned the courts against passing moral judgments that are directed solely against such couples. We must note here that the top court has flagged this key issue in its landmark judgment on a habeas corpus petition that had alleged illegal detention of a woman's lesbian partner by parents.

At the very outset, this brief, brilliant, bold and balanced judgment authored by the CJI Dr Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud for a Bench of the Apex Court comprising of himself, Hon'ble Mr Justice JB Pardiwala and Hon'ble Mr Justice Manoj Misra sets the ball in motion by first and foremost putting forth in para 2 that, "These proceedings under Article 136 of the Constitution arose from the interim orders of the Kerala High Court dated 13 January 2023 and 02 February 2023 in a petition seeking a writ of habeas corpus."

To put things in perspective, the Bench envisages in para 3 that, "The appellant and the 'corpus' ('X' for convenience of reference) are both female According to the appellant, they were in an intimate relationship. The petition seeking a writ of habeas corpus was instituted on the ground that the 'X' was being forcibly kept by her parents in their custody whereas she wished to remain with the appellant. On 13 January 2023, at the stage of admission, the Kerala High Court ordered the Secretary of the jurisdictional District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to visit the fourth and fifth respondents who are the parents of 'X', and record her statement to ascertain if she was under illegal detention. The High Court further directed that in the event that 'X' is in illegal detention, the Station Head Officer of the jurisdictional Police Station must ensure that 'X' is produced before the Secretary, DLSA to facilitate an interaction with the High Court through a video conferencing session. The parents of 'X' were allowed to join and remain present during the video conferencing session."

As we see, the Bench then unfolds in para 4 that, "On 31 January 2023, the High Court directed the production of 'X' before the Secretary, DLSA on 2 February 2023 to facilitate an interaction with the High Court. After an interaction with 'X', the High Court proceeded to direct 'X' to undergo a counselling session with a psychologist attached to a counselling centre."

As it turned out, the Bench enunciates in para 5 that, "Faced with the above grievance, this Court on 6 February 2023 issued notice and issued interim directions. The parents of 'X' were directed to produce her before the Family Court at Kollam by 05:00 pm on 8 February 2023. Further, the Principal Judge of the Family Court was directed to arrange for an interview of 'X' with Ms Saleena V G Nair, a Member of the e-Committee of the Supreme Court who was, at that point in time, on deputation. Ms Nair is in the judicial service of the State of Kerala."

Truth be told, the Bench points out in para 6 that, "The interview was directed to be arranged in consultation with the Principal Judge of the Family Court and Ms Nair was directed to interact with 'X' and submit a report after ascertaining her wishes on whether she is voluntarily residing with her parents or is kept under illegal detention."

Needless to say, the Bench states in para 7 that, "The Principal Judge of the Family Court has submitted a report on the modalities which were followed."

Do note, the Bench notes in para 8 that, "Ms Saleena V G Nair has also submitted a comprehensive report dealing with her interaction with 'X'. The report by Ms Nair indicates that sufficient time was granted to 'X' to express her intent and desire and she was given a break in the course of the recording of her statement so as to reflect on what she had stated."

Do also note, the Bench further notes in para 9 that, "'X' is a major and has completed her Masters degree in Arts. She has stated that she intends to become a lecturer and is focused on her career. She has stated that she is in possession of a mobile phone and is free to move wherever she desires. Moreover, she has stated that she is living with her parents out of her own volition. While she has stated that the appellant is an "intimate friend", she has stated that she does not wish to marry any person or live with any person for the time being."

Quite naturally, the Bench then observes in para 10 that, "There is no reason for this Court to disbelieve the report which has been prepared by a senior Judicial Officer after duly ascertaining the wishes of 'X'."

Of course, the Bench then hastens to add in para 11 that, "Consequently, we are not inclined to entertain the Special Leave Petition on the ultimate outcome before the High Court."

While adding a caveat, the Bench then states in para 12 that, "However, we would wish to address a note of caution. Learned counsel for the appellant has submitted that in such matters, the High Court has been passing orders directing the counselling of persons similarly situated as 'X' and there is an apprehension that the counselling should not turn out into a means to overcome the will of the corpus particularly in regard to their sexual orientation."

Be it noted, the Bench notes in para 13 that, "The High Courts must duly bear this facet in mind. Ascertaining the wishes of a person is one thing but it would be completely inappropriate to attempt to overcome the identity and sexual orientation of an individual by a process of purported counselling. Judges must eschew the tendency to substitute their own subjective values for the values which are protected by the Constitution."

It is worth noting that the Bench then notes in para 14 that, "Directions for counseling or parental care have a deterrent effect on members of the LGBTQ+ community. Courts must bear in mind that the concept of 'family' is not limited to natal family but also encompasses a person's chosen family. This is true for all persons. However, it has gained heightened significance for LGBTQ+ persons on account of the violence and lack of safety that they may experience at the hands of their natal family. When faced with humiliation, indignity, and even violence, people look to their partner and friends who become their chosen family. These chosen families often outlast natal families as a source of immeasurable support, love, mutual aid, and social respect."

Quite significantly, the Bench then underscores in para 15 postulating succinctly that, "The importance of a chosen family is sometimes lost to the traditional assumption that the natal family is respectful of a person's choices and freedoms. Courts must not wittingly or unwittingly become allies in this misunderstanding, more so in cases involving habeas corpus petition, petitions for protection of the person, or in missing persons' complaints. Since a direction for counselling has been given by the High Court, which we are inclined to set aside, it is imperative that clear guidelines be formulated for the courts dealing with habeas corpus petitions and in petitions seeking protection from family or police interference."

Most significantly, most laudably and so also most forthrightly, the Bench then mandates in para 16 propounding that, "Guidelines for the courts in dealing with habeas corpus petitions or petitions for police protection are formulated below:

a. Habeas corpus petitions and petitions for protection filed by a partner, friend or a natal family member must be given a priority in listing and hearing before the court. A court must avoid adjourning the matter, or delays in the disposal of the case;

b. In evaluating the locus standi of a partner or friend, the court must not make a roving enquiry into the precise nature of the relationship between the appellant and the person;

c. The effort must be to create an environment conducive for a free and uncoerced dialogue to ascertain the wishes of the corpus;

d. The court must ensure that the corpus is produced before the court and given the opportunity to interact with the judges in-person in chambers to ensure the privacy and safety of the detained or missing person. The court must conduct in-camera proceedings. The recording of the statement must be transcribed and the recording must be secured to ensure that it is not accessible to any other party;

e. The court must ensure that the wishes of the detained person is not unduly influenced by the Court, or the police, or the natal family during the course of the proceedings. In particular, the court must ensure that the individuals(s) alleged to be detaining the individual against their volition are not present in the same environment as the detained or missing person. Similarly, in petitions seeking police protection from the natal family of the parties, the family must not be placed in the same environment as the petitioners;

f. Upon securing the environment and inviting the detained or missing person in chambers, the court must make active efforts to put the detained or missing person at ease. The preferred name and pronouns of the detained or missing person may be asked. The person must be given a comfortable seating, access to drinking water and washroom. They must be allowed to take periodic breaks to collect themselves. The judge must adopt a friendly and compassionate demeanor and make all efforts to defuse any tension or discomfort. Courts must ensure that the detained or missing person faces no obstacles in being able to express their wishes to the court;

g. A court while dealing with the detained or missing person may ascertain the age of the detained or missing person. However, the minority of the detained or missing person must not be used, at the threshold, to dismiss a habeas corpus petition against illegal detention by a natal family;

h. The judges must showcase sincere empathy and compassion for the case of the detained or missing person. Social morality laden with homophobic or transphobic views or any personal predilection of the judge or sympathy for the natal family must be eschewed. The court must ensure that the law is followed in ascertaining the free will of the detained or missing person;

i. If a detained or missing person expresses their wish to not go back to the alleged detainer or the natal family, then the person must be released immediately without any further delay;

j. The court must acknowledge that some intimate partners may face social stigma and a neutral stand of the law would be detrimental to the fundamental freedoms of the appellant. Therefore, a court while dealing with a petition for police protection by intimate partners on the grounds that they are a same sex, transgender, inter-faith or inter-caste couple must grant an ad-interim measure, such as immediately granting police protection to the petitioners, before establishing the threshold requirement of being at grave risk of violence and abuse. The protection granted to intimate partners must be with a view to maintain their privacy and dignity;

k. The Court shall not pass any directions for counselling or parental care when the corpus is produced before the Court. The role of the Court is limited to ascertaining the will of the person. The Court must not adopt counselling as a means of changing the mind of the appellant, or the detained/missing person;

l. The Judge during the interaction with the corpus to ascertain their views must not attempt to change or influence the admission of the sexual orientation or gender identity of the appellant or the corpus. The court must act swiftly against any queerphobic, transphobic, or otherwise derogatory conduct or remark by the alleged detainers, court staff, or lawyers; and

m. Sexual orientation and gender identity fall in a core zone of privacy of an individual. These identities are a matter of self-identification and no stigma or moral judgment must be imposed when dealing with cases involving parties from the LGBTQ+ community. Courts must exercise caution in passing any direction or making any comment which may be perceived as pejorative."

Further, the Bench adds in para 17 observing that, "The above guidelines must be followed in letter and spirit as a mandatory minimum measure to secure the fundamental rights and dignity of intimate partners, and members of the LGBTQ+ communities in illegal detention. The court must advert to these guidelines and their precise adherence in the judgment dealing with habeas corpus petitions or petition for police protection by intimate partners."

What's more, the Bench then further directs in para 18 that, "Insofar as the present facts are concerned, the Criminal Appeal is disposed of in view of the report of the Judicial Officer."

Finally, the Bench then concludes by holding in para 19 that, "Pending applications, if any, stand disposed of."

In conclusion, we thus see that the Apex Court has very rightly instructed the courts not to pass moral judgments. What forms the nucleus of this notable judgment is laid bare in para 16 wherein a slew of guidelines are listed to courts for protection of same-sex, transgender, interfaith or inter-caste couples directing that they must be provided immediate protection before they are asked to establish the threats they face. There can be thus no gainsaying that these guidelines must be followed "in letter and spirit" as a "mandatory minimum measure" to secure most strictly their fundamental rights and dignity. No denying or disputing it!