This Article is From May 21, 2011

Police protection for sisters who fled home for higher studies

New Delhi: Two sisters, who ran away from home accusing their father of opposing their decision to pursue higher studies, approached the Delhi High Court for police protection on Friday as they felt they could be subjected to threat and police harassment following an FIR lodged by the father.

The girls, who are pursuing a degree course in a college in Ludhiana, and their Delhi-based friend, will have to appear before the Punjab and Harayana High Court to which the Delhi High Court transferred their petition for quashing of the FIR.

Justice Ajit Bharihoke said in an order that "the Punjab and Harayana police be directed to provide protection to the petitioners (girls) when they are required to appear before the Punjab and Harayana High Court".

The court also directed the IG Police, Jalandhar, to ensure protection to the girls.

The girls alleged their father had beaten them up badly opposing their continuing the higher studies in October 2009. When they became aware of their father's intention of visiting them and talking to the hostel-in-charge to take them back, the duo had left the hostel without informing and have been staying here with a friend.

According to the sisters, their father has lodged an FIR against the friend for kidnapping his daughters after they left the college hostel in February this year, with the Model Town police station in Ludhiana.

The sisters submitted that they were ready to appear before Punjab and Harayana High Court but apprehended threat to life as the police have "colluded" with the father in Ludhiana.
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