Supreme Court Mandates Nationwide Implementation of Anand Marriage Act Rules for Sikh Couples

In a landmark directive, the Supreme Court of India has issued a critical order to all states and Union Territories, compelling them to frame and notify rules under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, within a strict four-month deadline. This significant move aims to streamline the registration of Sikh marriages across the country, addressing a long-standing lacuna that has caused considerable hardship for many.

The impetus for this intervention came from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that highlighted the severe practical difficulties faced by Sikh couples, particularly women, due to the absence of proper registration mechanisms in various states.

Without a valid marriage certificate, individuals often encounter insurmountable obstacles in legal matters concerning divorce, maintenance, and inheritance, leaving them vulnerable and without adequate legal recourse.

The Anand Marriage Act, originally enacted in 1909, provides for the registration of Sikh marriages.

A crucial amendment in 2012 allowed for the optional registration of these marriages under the Act, rather than mandating registration solely under the Hindu Marriage Act. However, despite this progressive amendment, many states and UTs have regrettably failed to frame the necessary rules, effectively rendering the amendment toothless in practice for a significant portion of the Sikh community.

A bench comprising Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Augustine George Masih underscored the paramount importance of a valid marriage certificate for legal recognition and protection.

The Court observed that the lack of such rules created a legal vacuum, denying Sikh couples the security and clarity that a registered marriage provides. This deficiency has disproportionately affected women, who often bear the brunt of legal complexities in marital disputes.

This directive from the apex court is a powerful step towards ensuring uniformity and legal certainty in the registration of Sikh marriages nationwide.

Once these rules are properly notified and implemented by all states and UTs, Sikh couples will have a clearer, standardized process for registering their marriages, thereby safeguarding their legal rights and facilitating smoother resolution of any future legal challenges. The ruling is expected to bring immense relief and legal empowerment to the Sikh community, fulfilling the original intent of the 2012 amendment.