Register marriages of those over 21: HC tells Punjab govt

Chandigarh, March 5

Coming down heavily on marriage certificates not being issued, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered marriage registration officers to register marriages of couples who are over 21 years of age.

In its latest order, the high court has directed marriage registrars in Punjab to register marriages of couples who approach them provided they are over 21 years even if they were minors at the time of the wedding.

“The high court has directed them to register such a marriage immediately without any delay,” a Punjab government spokesperson said on Thursday.

The high court order came on a writ petition filed by an individual who was refused a marriage registration certificate on the ground that he was not 21 years old when he got married.

The court, its order, observed that disobedience of the orders and refusal to register the marriage on such grounds would invite action of contempt against such officer and will be viewed strictly, the spokesperson said. — IANS