The Kerala High Court on Monday held that marriages solemnised at CPM offices is not valid.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Antony Dominic and Justice Anil K Narendran passed the order while considering a habeas corpus petition filed by Sabu K Elias of Pampady in Kottayam seeking the production of his daughter who went missing from February 19, 2014.
The police produced the petitioner’s daughter Renu and informed the court that she had married Vidhin P Sunny of Chengannur on February 19 at CPM local committee office at Nedumudi in Kuttanad.
The court observed that the marriage is not legally valid as it should either be solemnised before a marriage officer appointed under any statutory provisions or as per religious rites.
The court observed that the certificate of marriage issued under Rule 11(1) of the Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008, produced by the girl and her lover, is not vaild.
The court made it clear that marriages conducted at places like CPM offices should not be allowed to register under the Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008.
The court observed that the immediate attention of the authorities is needed in such cases. It directed the Secretary of State and Local Self Government Department to issue appropriate directions to their subordinates to prevent such practices. The lovers undertook before court that action will be taken and their marriage will be registered under the Special Marriage Act.