The Punjab & Haryana High Court has slapped a fine of ₹10,000 on a live-in couple for filing a plea seeking police protection without substantial evidence of an imminent threat to their safety. The court had previously cautioned that should the State find the threat perception unsubstantiated, the couple could be liable to pay ₹50,000 in costs. Consequently, the court's ruling stated,

"Right from the beginning, the petitioners were informed that if it was established that there was no perceived threat to them, they would have to incur costs of at least Rs. 50,000/-. However, today, the petitioners' counsel requested the withdrawal of the petition and a reduction in the cost. As a result, the present petition stands dismissed, subject to a payment of cost of Rs. 10,000/- to be deposited jointly by the petitioners within one month from today..."

The case centered on a married woman, the first petitioner, engaged in a live-in relationship with an unmarried man, the second petitioner. The couple had formalized their arrangement through a live-in relationship deed executed in Rajasthan. They contended that they were confronted with a life-threatening situation necessitating immediate safeguarding.

Initially, the Court found the petitioners' narrative lacking credibility, raising doubts about its authenticity. The judge commented,

"It's curious that if petitioner No. 1 had departed from her marital home a week ago, then why did she return to Rajasthan to formalize the live-in relationship."

Upon scrutiny, the Court observed that the Deputy Superintendent of Police's report from Hisar indicated no tangible threat to the couple. Following the petitioners' request to retract their plea, the Court granted consent and imposed a fine of ₹10,000, stipulating that the payment be directed to the High Court Bar Association Lawyer's Family Welfare Fund.

Advocate Ashwani Vaishnav represented the petitioners, while Advocate Anmol Malik stood on behalf of the State.