marriage is compulsory and the proof of marriage is ordinarily by production of Certificate of Marriage procured from the Register maintained by the Civil Registrar and issued by the concerned Civil Registrar appointed for the purpose by the Government. The procedural aspects about registration of marriages are contained in Articles 1075 to 1081 of the Portuguese (Civil) Code which is the common Civil Code in force in the State. It is pointed out in the affidavit filed on behalf of the respondent-State of Goa that the Hindu Act is not in force in the said State since it has not been extended to the State either by the Goa, Daman and Diu Laws Regulations, 1962 or by the Goa, Daman and Diu Laws No.2 Regulations, 1963 by which Central Acts have been extended to the State after the liberation of the State. Procedure for marriages is also provided in Code of Civil Registration (Portuguese) which is in force in the State. The Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 also provides for registration of marriages.
As noted above, the Hindu Act enables the State Government to make
In various States, different marriage Acts are in operation e.g. in Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Hindu Marriage Act, 1980 empowers the Government to make rules to provide that the parties (Hindus) shall have their particulars relating to marriages entered in such a manner as may be prescribed_for facilitating proof of such marriages. Admittedly, no rules have been framed. As/regards Muslims, Section 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Marriages Registration Act, 1981 provides that marriage contracted between Muslims after the commencement of the Act shall be registered in the manner provided therein within 30 days from the date of conclusion of Nikah ceremony. However, the Act has not been enforced. So far as Christians are/concerned, the Jammu and Kashmir Christian Marriage and Divorce Act, 1957 provides for registration of marriages in terms of sections 26 and 37 for registration of marriages solemnized by Minister of Religion and marriages solemnized by, or in the presence of a Marriage Registrar, respectively.
In exercise of powers conferred by section 8 of the Hindu Act, the State of U.P. has framed U.P. Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1973 which have been notified in 1973. In the affidavit filed by the State Government, it is stated that the marriages are being registered after enactment of the/Rules,
In Pondicherry, the Pondicherry. Hindu Marriage (Registration) Rules, 1969 have come into force w.e.f. 7th April 1969. All Sub-Registrars of Pondicherry have been appointed under section 6 of the Indian Registration Act, 1908 (in short the ‘Registration Act’) as Marriage Registrars for the purposes of registering marriages. In the State of Haryana, the Haryana Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 2001 under Section 8 of the Hindu Act have been notified. In the State of West Bengal, Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1958 have been notified.
From the affidavit filed on behalf of the State of Tripura, it appears that the said State has introduced rules called Tripura Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1957. It has also introduced Tripura Special Marriage Rules, 1989 under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. So far as the State of Karnataka is concerned, it appears that Registration of Hindu Marriages (Karnataka) Rules, 1966 have been framed. It further appears that Karnataka Marriages (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1976 has been introduced. Section 3 of the Act requires compulsory registration of all marriages contracted in the State.
So far as the Union Territory of Chandigarh is concerned, Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1966 have been framed.
In the affidavit filed on behalf of the National Commission for Women (in short the ‘National Commission’), it has been indicated as follows:
“That the Commission is of the opinion that non-registration of marriages affects the most and hence has since its inception supported the proposal for legislation on compulsory registration of marriages. Such a law would be of critical importance to various women related issues such as —
(a) prevention of child marriages and to ensure minimum age of marriage.
(b) prevention of marriages without the consent of the parties ;
(c) Check illegal bigamy/polygamy;
(d) Enabling married women to claim their right to live in the matrimonial house, maintenance, etc.;
(e) Enabling widows to claim their inheritance rights and other benefits and privileges which they are entitled to after the death of their husband ;
(f) Deterring men from deserting women after marriage ;
(g) Deterring parents/guardians from selling daughters young girls to any person including a foreigner, under the garb of marriage. “
As noted supra, except four statutes applicable to States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, registration of marriages is not compulsory in any of the other States.
As is evident from narration of facts though most of the States have framed rules regarding registration of marriages, registration of marriage is not compulsory in several States. If the record of marriage is kept, to a large extent, the dispute concerning solemnization of marriages between two persons is avoided. As rightly contended by the National Commission, in most cases nonregistration of marriages affects the women to a great measure. If the marriage is registered, it also provides evidence of the marriage having taken place and would provide a rebuttable presumption of the marriage having taken [place. Though, the registration itself cannot be a proof of valid marriage per se, and would not be the determinative factor regarding validity of a marriage, yet it has a great evidentiary value in the matters of custody of children, right of children born from the wedlock of the two persons whose marriage is registered and the age of parties to the marriage. That being so, it would be in the interest of the society if marriages are made compulsorily registrable. The legislative intent in enacting section 8 of the Hindu Act is apparent from the use of the expression “for the purpose of facilitating the proof of Hindu Marriages”.
As a natural consequence, the effect ofnon registration would be that the presumption which is available from registration of marriages would be denied to a person whose marriage is not registered.
Accordingly, we are of the view that marriages of all persons who are citizens of India belonging to various religions should be made compulsorily registrable in their respective States, where the marriage is solemnized.
Accordingly, we direct the States and the Central Government to take the following steps:—
(i) The procedure for registration should be notified by respective States within three months from today. This can be done by amending the existing Rules, if any, or by framing new Rules. However, objections from members of the public shall be invited before bringing the said Rules into force. In this connection, due publicity shall be\ given by the States and the matter shall be kept open for objections*, for a period of one month from the date of advertisement inviting objections. On the expiry of the said period, the States shall issue appropriate notification bringing the Rules into force.
(ii) The officer appointed under the said Rules of the States shall be duly authorized to registers, the marriages. The age, marital status (unmarried, divorcee) shall be clearly stated. The consequence of nonregistration of marriages or for filing false declaration shall also be provided for in the said Rules. Needless to add that the object of the said Rules shall be to carry out the directions of this Court.
(Hi) As and when the Central Government enacts a comprehensive statute, the same Tshall be placed before this Court for scrutiny.
(iv) Learned counsel for various States and Union Territories shall ensure that the directions given herein are carried out immediately.
The Registry is directed to handover a copy of this order to learned Solicitor General for necessary follow-up action.
