Coronavirus crisis | Couples seek Court protection; Get fined for not wearing masks at wedding

Two runaway couples from Punjab and Haryana were in for a shock when their hopes of being united for life in matrimonial bliss came with a cost. The two couples had approached Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking protection for their lives after running away from their homes to get married. However, things took a different turn when Justice Hari Pal Verma, while addressing the safety of the couples, noted that they were not following the government protocol of wearing masks in the marriage ceremony pictures.

The first case was of petitioner Renu Devi for whom the court had ordered police protection to the couple, but also made note that the masks were not worn at the wedding ceremony by either the petitioners and attendees. The court's order stated, "Accordingly, the petitioners are burdened with Rs 10,000/- as costs to be deposited with the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur within a period of 15 days from today and the amount so deposited by the petitioner shall be utilised for the purpose of arranging masks for the public at large within the district Hoshiarpur,".

Another petitioner named Veena Rani was ordered to be given police protection, but the couple was fined Rs. 5000 for not wearing face masks during the marriage ceremony. The couple have been told to deposit the money to Fazilika administration with instructions for the penalty amount to be used in arranging masks for the public.

The Punjab government had made it mandatory on April 9 for the people in the state to wear masks during the lockdown period as a preventive measure to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had not long back posted on his Facebook page saying, "Masks are compulsory in Punjab now. Health Secretary is issuing a detailed advisory for the people. Just remember to wear mask when you step out of home for any emergency/essentials. A piece of clean cloth is all you need. Let's all stay safe and fight #Covid_19 together,".