Interfaith marriage in auto-rickshaw: HC asks if conversion racket at work

The bench directed the SSP, Fatehgarh Sahib to, "enquire into the matter in the light of aforesaid observations and to conduct in letter and spirit enquiry in detail including if any racket operating under religious conversion under the garb of such fake marriage."

interfaith marriage in an auto rickshaw, punjab news, indian express

The couple, through its counsel, submitted a marriage certificate, and photographs before the court. (Representational Photo)

A run-away inter-faith couple that had moved Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking protection landed in a soup when the bench hearing their plea found that their ‘nikah’ took place in an auto-rickshaw and not in a mosque as they had submitted in a declaration.

Expressing “dismay and shock”, the bench has now asked Senior Superintendent of Police in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib to enquire whether “any racket of religious conversion” was operating under the garb of such fake marriages.

Taking serious note of the “false declaration”, the bench of Justice Sandeep Moudgil said, “This act not only tantamounts to misleading the court on the part of the petitioners approaching with unclean hands but serious offence of committing perjury with the Court…The whole proceeding seems to be vitiated with the ulterior motives and befooling the court under the garb of having solemnized marriage and facing threats from private respondents”.

Justice Moudgil made the observations while hearing the plea of the couple, who had sought protection from the family members of the woman.

Advocate Harjinder Singh, the counsel for the petitioners earlier submitted that the marriage was solemnized in July in Punjab’s Nayagaon as per Muslim rituals against the wishes of the woman’s and were now facing threat to their lives from the latter. The couple, through its counsel, submitted a marriage certificate, and photographs before the court.

For Punjab, Deputy Advocate General Rajiv Verma submitted that efforts were already made by the officials of the police station concerned to contact the petitioners and to enquire about the threat that they were facing. However, the couple could not be found at the address given in the memo of parties.

Meanwhile, during the course of hearing, the court perused the marriage certificate issued by the Qazi and the accompanying photographs.
“To utter dismay and shock, perusal of the photographs make it crystal clear that the marriage was not being solemnized at any Maszid,” Justice Moudgil observed, adding, “none of the witnesses as stated in the certificate, that is presence of any Vakil (advocate) or witness or Ahle Jama, is absolutely missing”.

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More so, it was evident that ceremonies were conducted in an auto-rickshaw, the bench noted.

When the same was put to the counsel for the petitioners, it was “candidly admitted during proceedings that ceremonies were conducted in an auto-rickshaw”.

Holding the :whole proceeding to be vitiated with ulterior motives”, the bench said the Court would proceed for an offence of perjury.

“Such an act on the part of the petitioner No.2 (man) tantamount to criminal contempt of the court whereby false declaration have been made in the pleadings of the petition,” the bench held.

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The bench directed the SSP, Fatehgarh Sahib to, “enquire into the matter in the light of aforesaid observations and to conduct in letter and spirit enquiry in detail including if any racket operating under religious conversion under the garb of such fake marriage.”

Listing the matter for July 23, the bench directed the SSP to also ensure that the petitioners and the respondents are produced in court on the next date of hearing.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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