Punjab & Haryana High Court Orders Probe Into Unrecognised Arya Samaj Mandir Solemnising Marriage

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Commissionerate of Police at Jalandhar to probe the veracity of marriage performed by a purohit at an Arya Samaj Mandir, which is statedly not registered/ recognised by any Government Authority.

A run away couple seeking protection from the Court claimed that the said mandir had issued to them a marriage certificate and that they were facing threats from the girl's family.

However, Senior Superintendent of Police appearing in the matter submitted an affidavit stating that the said Arya Samaj Mandir was not registered, which questions the veracity of the priest who solemnized the marriage and issued the marriage certificate.

Stating that the issue involves larger public interest, Justice Sandeep Moudgil directed the Commissionerate of Police, Jalandhar, to take action in accordance with law including the veracity of Arya Samaj marriage, as to whether it was performed as per Hindu Rites and Ceremonies, after investigating the Purohit. The Commissionerate is to furnish its report within a week.

However, the Court refused to pass protection orders in favour of the couple as the girl's parents filed a statement that they have never caused any hindrance or problem in the married life of the couple.

"Therefore, this Court has no reason to believe the assertions made in the instant petition inviting interference in the matter and to assign the police authorities a futile task such as to decide the representation, if any submitted by the petitioners, rather it can be prima facie observed at this stage that the present petition seems to be only an abuse of process of law," added the Court.

Appearance: aswinder Singh Rana, Advocate for the petitioners.

H.S. Sitta, DAG Punjab.

Title: X v. State of Punjab & Ors.