Supreme Court Rules Hindu Marriage Invalid Without Requisite Ceremonies

The justices of the Supreme Court emphasized the importance of a valid Hindu marriage ceremony for a marriage to be recognized under the law. They underscored that a Hindu marriage is a ‘samskara’ and a sacrament, with great value in Indian society. The court’s recent order highlighted the need for young men and women to deeply consider the institution of marriage before entering into it, emphasizing the sacred nature of marriage in Indian society. The bench expressed disapproval of the idea of individuals seeking to acquire the status of being married without a valid marriage ceremony under the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act.

It emphasized that a Hindu marriage must be performed in accordance with applicable rites or ceremonies, such as the ‘saptapadi’, for it to be construed as a Hindu marriage. The court noted the sacred character of a Hindu marriage and stressed the importance of equality between spouses in a marriage. The bench also highlighted that, with the passage of time and the enactment of the Hindu Marriage Act, monogamy is the only legally approved form of relationship between a husband and a wife. It emphasized the significance of adhering to the provisions of the Act for a marriage to be recognized under Hindu law.

The court further explained the significance of marriage registration and its role in facilitating proof of marriage in disputed cases. However, it emphasized that marriage registration alone would not confer legitimacy to a marriage if it has not been conducted in accordance with the Hindu Marriage Act. The Supreme Court, exercising its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, declared a couple’s marriage certificate, issued in the absence of a valid ceremony under the Hindu Marriage Act, as null and void. As a result, their divorce proceedings and a dowry case lodged against the husband and his family members were quashed.