Hindu marriage is invalid without rituals: Allahabad HC
Hindu marriage is not valid without 'Saptapadi' ceremony and other rituals, the Allahabad High Court has quashed the proceedings of a case where a man alleged that his estranged wife had solemnised second marriage without divorcing him. Allowing a petition filed by Smriti Singh, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh observed, «It is well settled that the word 'solemnize' means, in connection with a marriage, to celebrate the marriage with proper ceremonies and in due form.
Unless the marriage is celebrated or performed with proper ceremonies and due form, it cannot be said to be solemnized.»
«If the marriage is not a valid marriage, according to the law applicable to the parties, it is not a marriage in the eyes of law. The 'Saptapadi' ceremony under the Hindu Law is one of the essential ingredients to constitute a valid marriage but the said evidence is lacking in the present case,» the court said in a recent order.
The court also relied on the section 7 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which provides that a Hindu marriage may be solemnized in accordance with the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto. Secondly, such rites and ceremonies include the 'Saptapadi' (taking seven steps by groom and bride jointly around the sacred fire), which makes the marriage complete and binding when the seventh step is taken.
