In a recent ruling, the Allahabad High Court voiced concerns over the fraudulent acquisition of marriage certificates, allegedly facilitated by certain officials within the Marriage Registration Office. The court noted that these forged documents are often used by couples to secure legal protection, despite contravening the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955.
Justice Vinod Diwakar highlighted the disturbing trend of individuals obtaining fake marriage certificates, often with the tacit support of local police and civil authorities. This practice, the court emphasized, undermines the sanctity of the institution of marriage and poses potential threats to the social fabric.
While acknowledging the fundamental right of citizens to choose their partners and enter into matrimonial or live-in relationships, the court stressed that this cannot be at the expense of legal statutes. The misuse of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution to seek protection based on fraudulent documents was particularly condemned.
The court’s observations arose during the hearing of a protection plea from a couple who claimed to have married at Arya Samaj Mandir in Greater Noida. The authenticity of their marriage certificate was questioned, highlighting a broader issue of fake certificates issued by unregistered organizations, particularly in Noida and Ghaziabad.
To address this issue, the court summoned the Assistant Inspector General of Registration (Stamp and Registration) from Ghaziabad and Gautam Budha Nagar, requiring them to provide details of marriages registered in the past year. Additionally, the Principal Secretary (Stamp and Registration) in Lucknow was instructed to ensure compliance with the court’s directives by the next hearing date.
The court’s firm stance on this matter underscores the need for stringent measures to prevent the abuse of legal processes and protect the integrity of marriage as an institution.
