Hindu marriage invalid without Saptapadi & other rituals: HC

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a Hindu marriage is not valid without the ‘Saptapadi’ ceremony and other rituals. In a case where a husband accused his estranged wife of marrying without obtaining a divorce, the court quashed the proceedings, stating that the marriage lacked the necessary ceremonies. The court cited the Hindu Marriage Act, which requires the Saptapadi ceremony for a marriage to be considered valid. The court also noted that the complaint lacked evidence of the Saptapadi ceremony. The husband had filed the complaint as a counteraction to the wife’s previous FIR and compensation order.