‘Make registration of marriages compulsory’

Law panel bats for women protection

The Law Commission of India has recommended compulsory registration of marriages to protect gullible women who become victims of fake marriages.

In a report submitted to the Centre, the commission headed by former Supreme Court judge, Justice B.S. Chauhan, said the lack of provisions for compulsory registration of marriages had proven disastrous for women and deprived them of societal recognition and legal security.

“Fraudulent marriages are on the rise especially among non-resident Indians. Compulsory registration can serve as a means to ensure that conditions of a valid marriage have been performed,” the commission recommended.

Minor amendment

It said a minor amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, including a provision for compulsory registration of marriage, would serve the purpose. The commission clarified that there was no need to amend any of the personal laws of religious communities.

The commission pointed to a 2006 ruling of the Supreme Court in Seema vs Ashwani Kumar that said marriages of persons who are citizens of India belonging to various religions should be registered compulsorily in their States.