Facts:
Rukmini Devi (petitioner), a Hindu, married Soundaram Mudaliar (respondent), a Christian, in 1966. The Marriage was performed according to Hindu rituals. However, Soundaram did not convert to Hinduism. Rukmini filed petition under Section 11 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, declaring marriage void.
Relevant Sections:
1. Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
- Section 5 (conditions for Hindu marriage)
- Section 11 (void marriages)
- Section 2 (definition of Hindu)
2. Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872
- Section 2 (definition of Christian marriage)
Issues Raised:
1. Whether marriage between Hindu and non-Hindu is valid under Hindu law?
2. Whether Soundaram's failure to convert to Hinduism affects marriage validity?
3. Whether marriage is void under Section 11 of Hindu Marriage Act?
Judgment:
The Supreme Court held that the Marriage between Hindu and non-Hindu is invalid under Hindu law. Soundaram's failure to convert to Hinduism renders marriage void and therefore the Marriage is declared void under Section11.
-Maihr Sundaram Singh
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