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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to provide legal recognition to a marriage certificate issued by Arya Samaj. The organisation was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875 and is considered one of the oldest Hindu reformist organisations.
A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and BV Nagarathna said that the work and jurisdiction of Arya Samaj is not to issue marriage certificates. “Only competent authorities can issue marriage certificates.” “Bring the original certificate before the court,” the bench said.
The court’s verdict comes amidst a love marriage in Madhya Pradesh. The girl’s family blamed a young man, accusing him of kidnapping and raping their daughter, despite the fact she was a minor. An FIR has been lodged against the boy.
The girl’s family filed a complaint under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as Section 5(L)/6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POSCO) Act, which addresses motivated penetrative sexual assault.
Meanwhile, the young man in his petition tried to convince the court that the girl was not a minor but rather an adult who wished to marry of her own will. The marriage was solemnised at Arya Samaj Mandir.
The man also presented the marriage certificate issued by the Central Bharatiya Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, which the Supreme Court refused to accept.
