Hindu marriage not valid without ‘saat pheras’, says HC

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a Hindu marriage is not valid without the ‘saptapadi’ ceremony, which involves taking seven rounds around the sacred fire. The court quashed the proceedings of a complaint case where a husband accused his estranged wife of solemnizing her second marriage without obtaining a divorce. The court stated that the ‘saptapadi’ ceremony is an essential ingredient for a valid marriage under Hindu law.