Rules relaxed for couples to marry in Delhi

NEW DELHI - The Delhi government Monday declared that a couple can register their marriage here even if they don’t have a residential address in the capital, bringing cheer for lovers in the country who face the ire of khap panchayats.

“After notification, couples can get married here easily,” said a Delhi government official. The cabinet decision was taken Monday after a discussion was initiated by the revenue department, which wanted the “old conditions” to go.

Until now, the Delhi Hindu Marriage Registration Rules, 1956 prohibited any couple from applying for registration of marriage here until it was proved that either of them or their in-laws had lived in the capital for at least 30 days before the wedding.

Officials believe couples facing the heat from khap panchayats for marrying within the same ‘gotra’ or sub-caste will get a helping hand now.

Furthermore, it would also be easy for them to get police protection in case of a threat to their love marriage or any fear of retaliation from their kin.

There have been many cases of honour killings of young couples at the behest of khap panchayats, or caste councils, which oppose marriages within the same gotra, or sub-caste.