Delhi High Court nod for marriage registration via video conferencing

Judge dispenses with physical presence, asks Registering Authority to recognise changed conditions

In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has ruled that marriages can be registered in the virtual presence of parties, noting it “cannot allow a rigid interpretation of the statute to prevent citizens from exercising their rights”. Justice Rekha Palli said the insistence of physical appearance of the parties before the Registering Authority even when their personal appearance can be easily secured through video conferencing, will definitely make it more cumbersome for parties to come forward for registration of marriages. The Judge remarked that the Delhi (Compulsory Registration of Marriage) Order, 2014, which made registration of marriages solemnised in Delhi compulsory, needed reinterpretation to “encourage parties to easily get their marriages registered”.