The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the authorities of Union Territory, Chandigarh, to act promptly on the pending application of an interfaith couple seeking marriage registration under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The writ petition was filed by Priscila Danenberg Levy, an Israeli citizen, and her husband, who is of Indian origin.
The petition was presented before Hon'ble Mr. Justice Kuldeep Tiwari on July 4, 2025, seeking a writ of Mandamus under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The couple requested the Court to instruct the Tehsildar-cum-Marriage Registrar (Respondent No. 2) to register their marriage, which was solemnized on May 10, 2025, at the Adhyatmik Arya Samaj Mission Temple, Sector-52, Chandigarh.
The petitioner, originally an atheist, has been living in India for over ten years and has now adopted and practices the Hindu religion. As per their submission, their marriage was conducted in full accordance with Hindu rites and rituals, qualifying them for marriage registration under the applicable laws.
Read also:- Bombay High Court Rejects Wife’s Plea to Transfer Divorce Case From Pune to Osmanabad
Quoting the Haryana Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2008, extended to Chandigarh, the couple stated that they had applied on May 29, 2025, under Sections 6 and 7 for registration. However, they alleged that the Registrar had neither approved their request nor rejected it, which led to the legal challenge.
“The provisions of the Act of 2008 do not empower the authorities concerned to evaluate the legality of the marriage. The registrar is merely expected to register it once the required documents are furnished,” submitted the petitioners' counsel, Mr. Abhijeet Singh Rawaley.
Read also:- Allahabad High Court Upholds Summoning of Accused Under Section 319 Cr.P.C. in POCSO Case
The respondents, represented by Additional Standing Counsel Mr. Pritpal Singh Nijjar and Junior Panel Counsel Mr. Himmat Singh Sidhu, confirmed that the marriage registration had not been refused. Instead, the application was under process, pending police verification due to the petitioner being a foreign national.
“As per Rule 3(3)(ca) of the Haryana Compulsory Registration of Marriages Rules, 2008, it is mandatory to verify the domicile status of a foreign national from their respective embassy before registering the marriage,” stated the government counsel.
Read also:- Allahabad High Court Quashes Fraud Case Against Tenant Uma Chauhan
After reviewing both sides, Justice Kuldeep Tiwari disposed of the petition with a directive:
“Respondent No. 2 is directed to make all efforts to expeditiously complete the requisite process for registration of the petitioners’ marriage.”
The Court also provided liberty to the petitioners to approach the Court again, should their grievance persist even after the verification is completed.
Case Title: Priscila Danenberg Levy and another vs. Union Territory and another
Case Number: CWP-18065-2025