Supreme Court stays High Court’s order to end ‘Pakdaua marriage’ at gunpoint

The Supreme Court stayed the decision of the Patna High Court in the case of marriage held at gunpoint. Patna High had canceled the marriage of an Indian Army soldier. The young man was allegedly kidnapped. After this she was forced to marry at gunpoint. This type of marriage is known as ‘Pakdaua Shaadi’ in Bihar i.e. forced marriage.

Supreme Court issued notice

A division bench of the Supreme Court issued notice in the case. Along with this, the decision of Patna High Court was stayed on the appeal filed by the army jawan’s wife. Earlier, while hearing the case in November last year, Patna High Court had canceled the three year old decision of the Family Court. The High Court had said that just holding someone and applying vermilion is not marriage. The youth said that he was forced to fill the mang with vermilion without any religious or spiritual ritual. Earlier, the Family Court had refused to pass an order in favor of the husband to annul the marriage.

Married in 2013

At the time of the incident in 2013, the youth was going to worship in the temple in Lakhisarai. During this time he was kidnapped. The young man was posted as a constable in the army at that time. After being kidnapped he was forced to marry a woman at gunpoint. On the other hand, the girl said that her marriage took place in June 2013 as per all Hindu customs. Not only this, at the time of marriage her father had also given her gold, Rs 10 lakh in cash and other items as a gift. She later filed a complaint in the Family Court with a request to annul her forced marriage. On January 27, 2020, the Family Court rejected his petition. After this the person had approached the Patna High Court.