INDIA’S FIRST LESBIAN MARRIED COUPLE GETS COURT PROTECTION

Two women, the first lesbian couple to be married in India, have gone into hiding following threats against them by family members, reports The Telegraph.

Savita (25) and Veena (20) were married earlier this month after a court in Haryana gave its approval for Savita’s forced marriage to a man to be dissolved.

It also legalised the two women’s lesbian relationship, making Savita the ‘husband’ and Veena the ‘wife’, despite same-sex marriage not being legal in the country.

The women approached the court again when they received death threats from Veena’s relatives and villagers.

“Our family members can take harsh steps against us. They even threatened to kill us. We were married on the 22nd and are now in court seeking protection,” the couple told NDTV.

The court granted them police protection and moved them to a safe house.

“The couple has been shifted to a safe house and we have provided adequate security to them on the court orders,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr. Abhe Singh told The Daily Telegraph.

“The security is provided on the basis of threat perception and in this case the couple feared that their families might be against the relationship.”

In July 2009, the Delhi High Court overturned the ban on gay sex under Section 377 of the Indian penal code, effectively legalising homosexuality in the country.