Authorities in Ghaziabad have examined 8,000 marriage records and submitted a report to the high court. During the verification, at least two cases were found where the couple’s age documents were improper and could not be verified online. Officials are reviewing these discrepancies for further action. The investigation aims to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
An inquiry by the state government’s stamps and registration department has revealed that at least 90% of the 8,400 marriages registered at the Ghaziabad sub-registrar office (SRO – sadar fifth) between October 1, 2024, and March 3, 2025, were registered on the same day as the marriage.
This report has been submitted to the Allahabad High Court.
In the remaining 10% of the cases, the parents of the bride and groom served as witnesses.
Notably, in at least two marriages, the age verification documents of the couples were deemed improper and could not be verified online.
An official familiar with the inquiry reported,
“Of the two cases with improper age verification documents, one groom submitted a Class 8 mark sheet and an Aadhaar card, while the bride in the second case provided a mark sheet from Chhattisgarh that could not be verified online,”
The investigation involved ten teams from the stamps and registration department, initiated following a March 3 order from the Allahabad High Court. The court had noted that the SRO “is regularly issuing marriage certificates in violation of the terms of a circular dated October 10, 2024.”
This circular stipulated that the bride and groom must be identified through their consent and proof, with digital records of two witnesses from each side, photographs of the bride and groom along with their witnesses, and biometrics, all required for registration after verifying the couples’ dates of birth.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG, stamps), Pushpendra Kumar, said ,
“We have checked the marriage registration records as directed by the court and submitted a report. Further directions are awaited,”
The verification of marriage records in Ghaziabad follows Indian laws related to marriage registration, age proof, and document verification.
The important legal rules include:
- Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 – A marriage is legally valid only if the groom is at least 21 years old and the bride is at least 18, with proper documents as proof.
- Special Marriage Act, 1954 – Applies to interfaith and court marriages, requiring proper paperwork and verification by officials.
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 – Bans child marriage and stresses the need for checking age documents to stop underage marriages.
- Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 – Birth certificates help confirm a person’s age, which is needed for marriage registration.
- High Court Orders – The court may have asked for the records to be checked to ensure that all marriages follow the law.
This legal check ensures that marriages follow the rules, prevents fraud, and stops illegal underage marriages.