Maharashtra Government Establishes Safe Houses for Interfaith and Inter-Caste Couples Following HC Directive

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has assured the Bombay High Court that it will provide safe houses for interfaith and inter-caste couples facing threats from their families and society. The Home Department has issued a circular stating that government guest houses across all districts will serve as safe shelters for such couples.

Government’s Commitment to Safety

The state government informed the High Court that special cells headed by police commissioners and district superintendents have been established to ensure the safety of interfaith and inter-caste couples. The government has also introduced a dedicated helpline (112) for immediate assistance, and the details of safe houses and contact information will be made available on official websites and social media platforms.

Case of an Interfaith Couple Seeking Protection

During a recent hearing, a Division Bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and P.K. Chavan heard a petition from a 23-year-old interfaith couple. The couple, a Hindu man and a Muslim woman, faced violent opposition from the man’s family in Pune after they decided to marry. The woman had to leave her home and job due to safety concerns.

Advocates Lara Jesani and Mihir Desai, representing the couple, urged the court to grant them access to a safe house in Mumbai suburbs. The Bench instructed the state to provide the couple with shelter immediately, stating, “Now that you have created safe houses, provide them with one. Let this be the first case to implement the policy.” The court further directed public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar to personally ensure the couple’s safety by 6 p.m. on the same day.

Police Protection for Threatened Couples

In addition to safe shelter, the High Court directed the police to review the man’s application for protection, ensuring a decision is made within 48 hours. The court also ordered the deployment of an additional police guard at the safe house where the couple will stay.

Statewide Implementation and Monitoring

The Bombay High Court emphasized that the policy should not be limited to Mumbai and Pune but implemented across Maharashtra. 

To ensure proper execution, district collectors and social justice officials must upload all relevant details on their websites. The Director General of Police, commissioners, and superintendents are responsible for updating the state government on progress.

Historical Background and Supreme Court Directive

The Supreme Court, in the Shaktivahini vs. Central Government case, had earlier directed all states to establish safe houses for interfaith and inter-caste couples. While some states implemented this policy, Maharashtra had not formally designated such facilities until now. The move follows multiple incidents of violence against interfaith and inter-caste couples in Maharashtra and across India.

MANS Initiative in Satara

In a separate initiative, the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS), founded by rationalist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, has set up a safe house in Satara to protect interfaith and inter-caste couples from family and societal threats. Managed by Adhar Sanstha, the facility provides a secure environment for couples seeking refuge.

Recent Attacks on Interfaith and Inter-Caste Couples

Several incidents highlight the dangers faced by such couples:

• In Tamil Nadu, five family members were arrested for kidnapping and assaulting a newlywed inter-caste couple.
• In Hyderabad, four men were arrested for attacking an interfaith couple near Charminar, after falsely assuming the man was Hindu.

With Maharashtra now formally recognizing safe houses and implementing structured protection, the initiative aims to provide much-needed security for interfaith and inter-caste couples across the state.