Void marriages
Full Text
Any marriage solemnised after the commencement of this Act shall be null and void and may, on a petition presented by either party thereto against the other party, be so declared by a decree of nullity if it contravenes any one of the conditions specified in clauses (i), (iv) and (v) of section 5.
Plain English Summary
Declares any marriage solemnized after the Act void ab initio if it violates bigamy, prohibited degrees, or sapinda relationship rules under Section 5, allowing either spouse to obtain a decree of nullity.
Key Legal Elements
- Applies to marriages solemnized after the commencement of the Act
- Marriage is null and void ab initio if it violates Section 5(i) [bigamy], Section 5(iv) [prohibited degrees], or Section 5(v) [sapinda]
- Petition for decree of nullity can only be filed by either party to the marriage against the other party
Practical Note
A void marriage is non-existent in law from the outset (void ab initio). Third parties (like a second wife in bigamy) cannot petition under Section 11 directly; only a party to the marriage can seek a decree of nullity, though children born of such marriage are legitimate under Section 16.
हिंदी पाठ
इस अधिनियम के प्रारम्भ के पश्चात अनुष्ठापित कोई भी विवाह शून्य होगा और उसके किसी भी पक्षकार द्वारा दूसरे पक्षकार के विरुद्ध पेश की गई अर्जी पर अकृतता (nullity) की डिक्री द्वारा ऐसा घोषित किया जा सकेगा, यदि वह धारा 5 के खण्ड (i), (iv) और (v) में विनिर्दिष्ट शर्तों में से किसी का उल्लंघन करता हो।