In an order which reinforces the faith of youth in taking own decision in shaping up their career, the Delhi high court has said that youth above 18 have the right to lead their life on their own terms and the parents cannot force or pressurise their will on them.
The court was hearing 18-year-old Shubha Arya’s plea for protection against her family. Ms Arya had gone to the USA to make it big but her family persuaded/pressured her to return to India, saying that her father was ill. When she returned, they allegedly took away documents and locked her up at home.
After somehow managing to escape from her family’s clutches, she approached the high court asking for the right to live life in accordance with her wishes. In her petition, Shubha alleged she had been tricked into returning to India as her father was not ill. The real reason her family got her to return was because they wanted to get her married.
The girl’s parents allegedly snatched her certificates and passport and did not allow her to leave home. When she slipped away, her parents filed a missing report with the police. It was then that Ms Arya approached the court, fearing that the police will take her back to her family.
Justice Shiv Narayan Dhingra said, “Being a major, Ms Arya has the right to decide for herself and she has the right to pursue a career of her choice. Parents cannot force their will on her, in respect of marriage or in respect of career.”