The Gujarat High Court has ruled that a Hindu marriage cannot be considered legally valid based solely on registration if traditional customary ceremonies, such as “saptapadi,” have not been performed. The court emphasized that under Hindu law, marriage is a sacred sacrament rather than a mere social gathering or commercial transaction.
A division bench comprising Justices Ilesh Vora and R T Vachhani issued the ruling on June 23, with the written order made available on Monday. The decision overturned a November 2025 family court order that had declined to annul an alleged marriage between a United Kingdom-based man and an Ahmedabad resident.
Dispute Over Marriage Validity
The appellant, Kaushal Sonar, had petitioned to have the purported marriage declared null and void. Sonar, who lives in the UK, testified that he only learned of the marriage when the woman approached his parents with a marriage certificate, claiming to be his wife. Sonar maintained that he had never participated in any Hindu marriage rituals with her, had never lived with her as a spouse, and alleged that his signature on the registration documents was obtained through fraud.
The High Court noted that the family court erred by dismissing Sonar’s petition, especially after the woman explicitly admitted during the initial proceedings that no wedding rites had been conducted and the pair had never cohabited or shared a marital relationship.
Legal Necessity Of Customary Ceremonies
In its judgment, the bench highlighted Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, which mandates that a Hindu marriage must be solemnized in accordance with customary rites and ceremonies to be legally binding and complete. The court identified ceremonies like “saptapadi”—the joint taking of seven steps around a sacred fire by the bride and groom—as the essential social, spiritual, and legal foundation of the union.
Because no such rites were performed in this case, the court concluded that the primary legal requirements for a Hindu marriage were entirely absent, rendering the registration insufficient on its own to establish a legal union.
The Sanctity Of The Institution
The justices observed that in Hindu tradition, a wife is recognized both as an equal partner who is one-half of her husband and as an individual with her own identity. The court described marriage as a lifelong, consensual, and dignified union that serves as the foundation of a new family and assists individuals in spiritual transformation.
The bench cautioned young people to carefully weigh the significance of marriage before entering into it, emphasizing that the institution is a solemn event rather than a simple occasion for song, dance, or dining.
