The Uttar Pradesh government has made video recording mandatory during the registration of marriages across the state. The directive follows an order from the Allahabad High Court, which stressed the need for increased transparency and documentation in civil unions.
The announcement was made by the state’s Law and Justice Department, which stated that all sub-registrars must ensure video recording of couples and witnesses at the time of registration. The move is aimed at preventing incidents of coerced or fraudulent marriages, especially those involving elderly individuals or vulnerable women.
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The change was prompted by several cases flagged by the judiciary in which parties to a marriage were later found to have been unaware of or misled about the union. In one such case that reached the Allahabad High Court, a man had fraudulently married an elderly widow to gain control over her property.
The court had then directed the state to implement safeguards, including digital proof, to confirm the identities and voluntary consent of all parties. Officials believe this initiative will also help in establishing stronger legal documentation and prevent impersonation or falsification during registrations.
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The recordings, officials clarified, will be stored securely and may be used in legal disputes or verification processes. While the requirement does not apply retrospectively to existing marriages, going forward, no marriage will be registered without audiovisual documentation.
The Registrar General’s office has also issued operational guidelines to ensure privacy protection and secure archiving of these videos. Marriage applicants will be informed in advance, and consent for video documentation will be a part of the registration form.
The government believes the step will not only enhance accountability but also act as a deterrent to those planning to exploit legal loopholes. Civil society and legal experts have largely welcomed the initiative, although concerns around data privacy and access protocols have been raised.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.