Allahabad High Court Orders Probe Into 'Vivah Kendra' in Lawyer’s Chamber

The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday ordered an immediate investigation into the functioning of a so-called 'Vivah Kendra' allegedly operating from a lawyer’s chamber inside the old High Court premises in Lucknow.

The bench comprising Justice Sangeeta Chandra and Justice Brij Raj Singh was hearing a protection plea filed by a couple claiming to be married, which was later contested by the woman’s counsel. The petitioners had sought protection from harassment allegedly being inflicted by family members who opposed their marriage. In support of their claim, they submitted a purported marriage certificate issued by the "Pragtisheel Hindu Samaj Nyas, Alambagh," operating a 'Vivah Kendra' allegedly from Chamber No. 31, Erstwhile CSC Building, within the old High Court Campus at Kesarbagh, Lucknow.

The bench, however, was quick to cast doubt on the authenticity of the marriage. Judicial notice was taken of the fact that the said chamber had been allotted to advocates and should not be functioning as a marriage registration centre. The marriage certificate mentioned that the couple was married at Brahmastra Legal Associates, with a Purohit and trustee signing off the document.

However, before the court,  counsel for the woman, Advocate Neeraj Kumar Baghel, informed the court that the woman had not married the man and was currently living with her parents. He asserted that she had not signed any Vakalatnama authorising the petition and had not filed a joint affidavit confirming the marriage.

Adding to the gravity, Advocate Shyamendra Singh and Advocate Prashant Singh, counsel for the girl’s father also confirmed that she was staying at home and had not left the house to marry anyone.

Taking note of the revelations, court directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Station House Officer of Wazeerganj Police Station to immediately visit the chamber in question and submit a report by 2:15 PM today. The District & Sessions Judge, Lucknow, was also asked to depute an Administrative Officer and a member of the Infrastructure Sub-Committee to photograph the site and send the visual evidence to the court.

The court further ordered that the SHO be informed immediately via mobile or fax, without waiting for the order to be uploaded.

The subsequent order is yet to be uploaded. 

Advocates Prashant Singh, Shyamendra Singh, and Amarendra Kumar appeared on behalf of the father of the girl. On behalf of the girl, Vakalatnama has been filed by Advocates Neeraj Kumar Baghel, Praveen Yadav, and Shiv Sagar.

Case Title: Shivani Yadav And Another vs. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko.

Download order here

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