An Indian court has ruled that parental dissatisfaction with an adult daughter’s decision to join a religious congregation does not justify the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus, Catholic Connect reported.
A division bench of Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Jobin Sebastian of the Kerala High Court, south India, dismissed a petition filed by three parents who alleged that their daughters were being illegally detained by nuns at the Monastery of Holy Ruah (MHR), according to Catholic Connect.
The court held that an individual’s choice regarding faith and religious association lies firmly within the private domain and is protected by constitutional freedoms. It warned that interference in such matters could have a chilling effect on personal liberty.
The bench noted that parental displeasure over an adult daughter choosing a life of celibacy in response to a spiritual calling cannot be grounds for legal intervention, Catholic Connect reported.
The petitioners had claimed their daughters were acting under coercion and were not remaining with the congregation of their own free will. However, the court found no evidence to support allegations of illegal detention or undue influence.
Reiterating established legal principles, the bench said habeas corpus is an extraordinary remedy that should be invoked only when there is clear evidence of unlawful detention. In cases involving adults, courts must exercise caution and respect individual autonomy, especially in matters affecting fundamental rights.
Police inquiries cited by the court confirmed that the women had voluntarily chosen to remain with the religious order. Their recorded statements affirmed that their decision was made freely and without coercion.
While acknowledging the parents’ concerns, the court said disagreements with a religious congregation cannot override the right of adults to make independent life choices.
Concluding that there was no violation of liberty, the bench dismissed the petition, reaffirming the primacy of individual freedom in matters of belief and personal decisions, Catholic Connect added.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
