The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently highlighted the critical importance of the Saptapadi ritual in validating Hindu marriages. The court stated that a Hindu marriage is not considered valid under Hindu law without this essential ceremony. This ruling came during the dismissal of a plea by four individuals seeking to quash an FIR against them for offenses under Sections 366, 498-A, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The petitioners were accused of abducting the victim, bringing her to Jabalpur by force, and coercing her into signing documents related to her supposed marriage with one of the petitioners. Justice Gurpal Singh Ahluwalia, who presided over the case, carefully evaluated the arguments presented.
The petitioners’ counsel argued that a valid marriage had occurred between the victim and one of the petitioners through the exchange of garlands (Varmala) and applying vermilion (Sindoor) to the bride’s hair. However, the court noted that the counsel failed to cite any legal provision that recognizes a marriage solemnized merely by these rituals.
The court emphasized the necessity of the Saptapadi ritual, which involves the couple taking seven steps around a sacred fire. Justice Ahluwalia remarked, “Unless and until Saptapadi is performed, there cannot be said to be a valid marriage in Hindu Law.”
The victim alleged she was forcibly taken to Jabalpur and coerced into signing certain documents. The court acknowledged that these allegations formed a “prima facie case of a cognizable offense” and reasoned that “it is a well-established principle of law that this Court should not kill an unborn baby and should not bring the investigation to a halt.”
Consequently, the court concluded that “no case was made out warranting interference,” and dismissed the petition seeking to quash the FIR.
Case title: Ajay Kumar Jain and others vs. State of Madhya Pradesh and others
This ruling underscores the significance of traditional rituals in Hindu marriages and clarifies that mere symbolic actions do not constitute a valid marriage under Hindu law.
