Make consent of boy and girl mandatory before marriage: Plea in Supreme Court

Supreme Court today acted on a plea filed by a 26-year-old woman that sought to make consent of a couple mandatory before the marriage takes place under the Hindu Marriage Act.

The plea noted that both the boy as well as the girl should willfully agree to proceed with the marriage before the ceremony.

The apex court today issued a notice to the Karnataka government and the Central government after hearing the plea.The Court added that it won't interfere to issue a declaration separately.

The plea was filed by the daughter of a Karnataka politician. She fled after her wedding ceremony as she did not approve of the marriage.

The Supreme Court also asked the police to give protection to the woman.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said that it would treat the petition as a habeas corpus plea.

The constitutionality of certain provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act will not be dealt with.