The Allahabad High Court's Lucknow Bench has temporarily restrained an Arya Samaj Mandir in Lucknow from solemnising marriages and issuing marriage certificates after expressing concern over the manner in which the institution allegedly verified the age of couples. The Court was hearing a protection plea filed by a couple and found apparent discrepancies in the documents relating to the marriage.
Background of the Case
The petition was filed by Neha and Anand Kumar, seeking protection of their lives and liberty. They alleged that they had married against the wishes of a private respondent and claimed they were being harassed. They relied on the Supreme Court's decision in Lata Singh v. State of U.P. while seeking protection.
During an earlier hearing, however, the State pointed out that Aadhaar records indicated Anand Kumar was 19 years old, whereas the marriage certificate issued by the Arya Samaj Mandir recorded his age as 22 years. This prompted the Court to summon the institution's representative along with the original records.
Court's Observations
When the Secretary of the Arya Samaj Mandir appeared before the Bench, he produced the marriage register and affidavits submitted by the couple and the groom's mother. He stated that the age mentioned in the marriage certificate was based on an affidavit from the mother and acknowledged that no documentary proof of age had been verified before the marriage was solemnised.
The Bench also noted that the affidavits were prepared on printed formats and observed circumstances surrounding their execution. It further recorded that the register appeared to have been written using the same pen and handwriting throughout. The Court expressed concern that marriages appeared to be solemnised without proper verification of whether the parties had attained the legally prescribed marriageable age.
The Bench observed,
"It appears that the marriages are being solemnized... even without verifying the age of the persons concerned and as to whether they are of marriageable age or not."
The Court also found that the petition seeking police protection was based largely on apprehension and that no immediate threat had been placed before it by the State. It observed that the petitioners could approach the police authorities if any actual threat arose.
Court's Decision
Considering the circumstances, the High Court directed that the Arya Samaj Mandir be impleaded as a respondent in the case. It further ordered that, until further orders, the institution shall not solemnise any marriage or issue any marriage certificate.
The Court stated that the restriction would continue unless the institution files an affidavit laying down the norms it will follow, including mandatory verification of the age of parties before conducting marriages. It also directed that the marriage register and affidavits produced before it be kept in a sealed cover by the Senior Registrar.
The matter has been listed for further hearing.
Case Details
Case Title: Neha and Another v. State of U.P. through Principal Secretary, Home, Lucknow and 3 Others
Case Number: Criminal Misc. Writ Petition No. 7309 of 2026
Judge: Hon'ble Justice Rajnish Kumar and Hon'ble Mrs. Justice Babita Rani
Decision Date: 28 July 2026
