1 Answer
Dear Client
A ceremony consisting of sindoor, chunni and varmala for 20-25 people cannot necessarily be considered a court marriage. A court marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, is a separate process under the Act carried out by a Marriage Officer.
But the ceremony might still qualify as a valid Hindu marriage depending on whether the conditions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, have been satisfied. Under Section 7 of the Act, the Hindu marriage should be solemnized in accordance with the customary rites and ceremonies of one of the parties. It will depend on what customs are followed and the ceremonies actually carried out to determine whether the ceremony was a valid marriage. Even the presence of witnesses will not render a ceremony that is otherwise invalid valid.
In order to determine the legality of the marriage, it would be prudent for the parties to determine whether the customary marriage rites were done, who conducted the wedding ceremony (whether a priest or any other person), and whether there are any photos or videos of the ceremony. It would also help determine whether any party was married to someone else during this time. Registration, evidence of the ceremony and legal validity are related but distinct issues.
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