The Delhi High Court has directed authorities to register the marriage of a Hindu-Muslim couple within two weeks and asked police to issue a stay certificate to them within 5 days for the SDM to complete the marriage solemnisation process.
The runaway couple from Uttar Pradesh had moved to Delhi High Court in December 2020, requesting protection and stay in Delhi. They were accommodated at a safe house by the Delhi government in Mukherjee Nagar area and the couple has been living there since then.
However, the interfaith couple was finding it difficult to solemnise their marriage under the Special Marriage Act. The process involves approval from different authorities in Delhi. The local SDM has to solemnise the marriage, bearing their certified proof of stay at Delhi by the SHO of Mukherjee Nagar police station.
Vrinda Grover, the advocate representing the couple, said that they had written letters to the SDM and concerned SHO since December 2020, but could not get a favourable response. Grover also blamed authorities for obstructing the process.
She said, “There is no question of conversion in the case but the statutory authorities were obstructing in the process of solemnisation of marriage.”
“This has compelled them to move a second petition to the court requesting their intervention,” Grover said.
Upon hearing the appeal, the court directed both SDM and SHO to complete the marriage solemnisation process within two weeks.
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