The Core Ruling: Rituals Over Registration The Supreme Court has emphasized that a Hindu marriage is a "samskara" (sacrament) and not a commercial transaction or a social event for "song and dance." Ceremony is Mandatory: Under Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, a marriage is only legally valid if it is performed with the required customary rites and ceremonies (such as the Saptapadi or seven steps around the sacred fire). Registration Isn't Enough: A marriage certificate issued by a registrar does not, by itself, prove a valid marriage. If the actual religious or customary ceremonies were not performed, the marriage is considered void in the eyes of the law, regardless of the certificate. Key Takeaways from the Decision The Court delivered this ruling in the case of Dolly Rani v. Manish Kumar Chanchal (2024), involving a couple who were both pilots. They had registered their marriage for convenience (like visa applications) but had never performed the traditional ceremonies.This ruling specifically applies to marriages governed by the Hindu Marriage Act. If a couple wishes to marry without religious rituals, they can do so legally under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which is a secular law specifically designed for court marriages without the need for rites.

Amit Kumar

Job Centre Ekangarsarai, Nalanda•

18 hrs ago

The Core Ruling: Rituals Over Registration The Supreme Court has emphasized that a Hindu marriage is a "samskara" (sacrament) and not a commercial transaction or a social event for "song and dance." Ceremony is Mandatory: Under Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, a marriage is only legally valid if it is performed with the required customary rites and ceremonies (such as the Saptapadi or seven steps around the sacred fire). Registration Isn't Enough: A marriage certificate issued by a registrar does not, by itself, prove a valid marriage. If the actual religious or customary ceremonies were not performed, the marriage is considered void in the eyes of the law, regardless of the certificate. Key Takeaways from the Decision The Court delivered this ruling in the case of Dolly Rani v. Manish Kumar Chanchal (2024), involving a couple who were both pilots. They had registered their marriage for convenience (like visa applications) but had never performed the traditional ceremonies.This ruling specifically applies to marriages governed by the Hindu Marriage Act. If a couple wishes to marry without religious rituals, they can do so legally under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, which is a secular law specifically designed for court marriages without the need for rites.