SDM acts against rules, draws court’s ire

Officer sent notices to families of interfaith couple before registration of marriage, HC says he committed contempt

The Delhi High Court has taken exception to the action of a marriage officer who, against the rules, dispatched notices to the residences of an interfaith couple who had applied for registration of their marriage under the Special Marriage Act. Following the notice sent by the officer — a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) — the father and brother of the woman, a Muslim, detained her and restrained her from contacting the man, a Hindu. “The aforesaid issuance of notice is in clear breach of this court’s directions dated April 08, 2009. Prima facie, the court is of the view that the respondent (SDM) has committed contempt of court,” Justice Nazmi Waziri said.