Thu Mar 06 02:09:35 UTC 2025: ## Delhi High Court Raps Centre, Delhi Govt for Delay in Compulsory Marriage Registration
**New Delhi, March 6, 2025** – The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sharply criticized the central and Delhi governments for their failure to implement a 2006 Supreme Court order mandating compulsory registration of all marriages within three months. The court questioned the lack of progress in implementing the order, calling the situation “pathetic” and “appalling.”
The court’s rebuke came during a hearing on a petition seeking the creation of a centralized database for marriage registrations. The petition, filed by Aakash Goel, argued that the current system, which relies on individual state-level registrations, is inadequate and prone to misuse. Mr. Goel highlighted the ease with which individuals could potentially register multiple marriages in different states.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, directed both governments to comply with the Supreme Court’s directives within three months. They noted that while the Delhi government had issued an order in 2014, it was merely an executive order and lacked the legislative backing required by the Supreme Court’s judgment. The court emphasized the need for an enactment to ensure smooth and efficient marriage registration.
The petition further requests the Ministry of Home Affairs to develop a centralized database, accessible to citizens, to provide accurate information about marital status. Additionally, it seeks amendments to the 2014 Delhi order to allow for online registration with virtual witness capabilities. The High Court issued notices to both the Centre and the Delhi government on these aspects of the petition. The next hearing is pending.
First Piper 