Eighteen-year-old Vishnu Priya from Ponneri, who eloped with a Dalit boy, appeared in person before the Madras High Court on Friday and expressed her wish to go with her mother. The court allowed her to go with her mother.
Vishnu Priya (18) of Jeganathapuram near Ponneri, eloped with Ranjith, a Dalit boy, on October 8. Immediately, her father Ravi committed suicide. Her mother had complained to Sholavaram police that her daughter was abducted by the boy and his family members.
The next day, the girl appeared before Judicial Magistrate, Ponneri, and stated that no marriage had been solemnised between them. The magistrate directed the girl to be sent to a care home.
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Last Saturday , Manjula, mother of Vishnupriya moved the Madras High Court to order the police to bring her daughter from the home and allow her to attend her father’s funeral. After ascertaining the girl’s wish, the court allowed her to attend the funeral and directed the police to arrange counselling for the girl.
As per earlier direction of the court, Vishnupriya and her mother appeared before Justice K.B.K. Vasuki on Friday. The girl expressed her willingness to go with her mother.
Disposing of the petition, Ms.Justice Vasuki said, “As the girl is major, she is entitled to stay in the place according to her wish.”
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The Judge directed the judicial magistrate, Ponneri, to record the girl’s statement and release her so as to enable to her join her mother on Friday itself.
The court also directed the police to give adequate protection to her.