Use video-conference for issuing marriage docu to couple: HC

Hearing a petition filed by Australian citizen Upasana Bali praying for issuance of her marriage certificate, the division bench of Chief Justice P C Tatia and Justice Jaya Ray observed that law should not be kept in a closed box and should be analysed considering the modern technology instead.

The bench ordered the state to make arrangements for a video-conference to verify the couple and issue the certificate.

Upasana had said in her petition that she had married M Bali, a Swedish citizen, on December 12, 2002 in Ranchi, but did not get their marriage certificate then.

After their marriage, the husband and wife moved to London, where they were blessed with a child on January 16.

The couple were asked to produce marriage certificate when they applied for a passport for their child to visit India in order to attend the marriage of Upasana's brother.

When they applied for the certificate in Ranchi, the couple was asked to be physically present for verification.

The petition prayed Upsana's inability to reach Ranchi leaving the eight-month-old child in London alone, a contention accepted by the bench. PTI PVR AMD RAI