Only engagement, not wedding, yet got marriage registered, couple moves Gujarat High Court

A woman from Vadodara and her UK-based husband have landed in serious legal trouble after a family court uncovered that they fraudulently registered their engagement ceremony as a legal marriage.

The couple’s plan unravelled when they later approached the court to annul the same marriage. On November 11, Vadodara Family Court rejected their annulment plea and directed the court registrar to initiate criminal proceedings against them for submitting false affidavits and documents to the marriage registrar.

During the hearing, the family court summoned the marriage registrar and examined the original registration documents.

The records show that the UK-resident man had travelled to India in 2023 only for an engagement ceremony. No wedding took place, and there were no photographs, invitations, or other proof of a marriage. However, two witnesses submitted affidavits claiming they had attended a full wedding, enabling the couple to obtain an official marriage certificate.

Describing it as a mutually dissolved engagement/marriage, the woman filed for annulment under section 12 of the Hindu Marriage Act, arguing that essential Hindu wedding rituals like saptapadi were never performed.

However, facing the possibility that criminal proceedings could derail their careers and the woman’s UK plans, the couple immediately moved the Gujarat High Court. They argued that the family court passed the prosecution order without giving them a fair chance to explain the documents.

A division bench of Justice Sangeeta K Vishen and Justice Nisha M Thakor granted interim protection, staying launch of criminal proceedings till the next date. The high court posted the matter for further hearing on November 25, 2025.