
Delhi govt issues SOP for protection of interfaith couples; sets up 'special cell', 24-hr helpline
India Today
The government said the existing 181 toll-free women helplines of the Delhi Commission for Women will serve as a round-the-clock helpline to receive from inter-faith and inter-caste married couples’ complaints of threat and harassment and provide necessary assistance.
The Delhi government has issued a standard operating procedure (SoP) for the protection of inter-faith and inter-caste couples from harassment and threats and directed setting up of ''special cells'', headed by deputy commissioners of police, to look into such matters. According to the SOP, the government will provide accommodation in its ''safe house'' to those couples whose relationship is being opposed by their families or the local community or khaps. The government said the existing 181 toll-free women helplines of the Delhi Commission for Women will serve as a round-the-clock helpline to receive from inter-faith and inter-caste married couples’ complaints of threat and harassment and provide necessary assistance.
As per the Bill, those involved in unlawful conversions on the pretext of marriage will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and shall also be liable for a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Violations in respect of a minor, a person of unsound mind, a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.

India on Monday said it has not held bilateral talks with the United States on deploying naval vessels to secure merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The clarification came after US President Donald Trump urged countries to send warships to keep the strategic waterway open amid tensions with Iran.











