Gujarat High Court Directs Interfaith Live-In Couple to Formalize Marriage
The Gujarat High Court has issued a landmark directive in a case involving an interfaith live-in couple from Mehsana district. The court has ordered the couple to register their marriage under the Special Marriage Act and mandated that the man deposit Rs 3 lakh as financial security for the woman, providing a safety net in case of future separation.
Background of the Case
The case centers on a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman from different religious backgrounds who had been living together. After authorities separated them, the woman was placed in a women's protection home in Palanpur, Banaskantha. The man subsequently approached the high court, challenging the separation and seeking custody of his partner, asserting their intention to marry.
Court's Intervention and Conditions
During the proceedings, the high court personally called the woman to ascertain her wishes. In response to the court's concerns about the woman's financial security, the man filed an affidavit expressing his willingness to deposit Rs 3 lakh. The court emphasized that this measure was crucial to protect the woman's interests "in the event any unfortunate contingency arises in future."
In his undertaking, the man committed to solemnizing the marriage under the Special Marriage Act and complying with all legal requirements. He also pledged to provide for her maintenance, residence, and all necessities of life according to his means and capacity, ensuring her dignity, respect, and overall well-being.
Financial Security Arrangements
The high court directed that the Rs 3 lakh be deposited in a nationalized bank. Since the woman did not have a bank account, the court instructed the registry to open one in her name. The interest from the fixed deposit will be credited to her account periodically. The court made it clear that if the couple separates in the future, the entire amount of Rs 3 lakh would be handed over to the woman for her financial security.
Marriage Registration Timeline
The court further ordered the man to "give a notice of intended marriage with the corpus and conclude the entire process within a period of six weeks from today." Additionally, the high court directed concerned government officials to process the application for the intended marriage and ensure that all requirements are met, leading to the solemnization of the marriage in accordance with the law.
Ongoing Proceedings and Logistics
The high court has scheduled a further hearing for April 24. Until then, the woman will continue to reside at the women's protection home in Ahmedabad. However, she is permitted to accompany the petitioner to fulfill the formalities of marriage registration. The court also directed the relevant authorities to supply her birth certificate and school-leaving certificate to facilitate the process.
This case highlights the judiciary's proactive role in safeguarding the rights and security of individuals in interfaith relationships, setting a precedent for similar situations in the future.
