In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court has directed all States and Union Territories to frame rules under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, ensuring proper registration of Sikh marriages solemnised through the Anand Karaj ceremony. The order came on a writ petition filed by Amanjot Singh Chadha, who argued that despite Parliament amending the Act in 2012, several states had failed to create the necessary framework, leaving couples in limbo.
Background
The Anand Marriage Act was originally enacted in 1909 to legally recognise Sikh marriages. More than a century later, in 2012, Parliament amended the law and introduced Section 6, placing an explicit duty on States to create rules for marriage registration. While some states acted swiftly, many others did not, resulting in uneven access to certificates that play a crucial role in matters such as inheritance, insurance claims, and even visa applications.
Chadha first approached the Uttarakhand High Court in 2021, which had directed the State government to frame rules. But with limited progress across the country, he moved the Supreme Court under Article 32, seeking uniform compliance.
Court’s Observations
The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was blunt in its observations. “When the law recognises Anand Karaj as a valid form of marriage yet leaves no machinery to register it, the promise is only half kept,” the judges said, pointing out that certificates are essential for women and children who rely on them to secure legal rights.
The Court highlighted that Section 6 clearly imposes a “positive duty” on state governments to create a registration mechanism, not contingent on population size or administrative convenience. It also noted that denying registration results in “unequal outcomes for similarly situated citizens,” which goes against the spirit of secular equality.
The bench further stressed that until specific rules are notified, existing marriage registration frameworks must accept Anand Karaj marriages. “Where parties so request, the registering authority shall record in the certificate that the marriage was solemnised by the Anand Karaj rite,” the order read.
Decision
The Supreme Court disposed of the petition with detailed directions. Every state and Union Territory that has not framed rules must now do so within four months and publish them in the official gazette. In the interim, no authority can refuse registration of Anand Karaj marriages. Additionally, the Union of India has been tasked with coordinating efforts and compiling a compliance report within six months.
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Specific instructions were issued for Goa and Sikkim, where the law has not yet been formally extended. Goa has been asked to accept applications through civil registration offices immediately, while the Centre must notify the extension of the Act within four months. Similarly, Sikkim has been told to facilitate registrations under existing state rules while the Union considers extending the Act.
The Court was categorical that “no application for registration of an Anand Karaj marriage shall be refused merely because rules are not yet in place.” With that, the petition was allowed in part, ensuring that the legislative promise of 2012 finally finds practical footing across India.
Case Title: Amanjot Singh Chadha v. Union of India & Others
Case No.: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 911 of 2022
Date of Judgment: September 4, 2025
Petitioner: Amanjot Singh Chadha
Respondents: Union of India & Various States/Union Territories
