NEW DELHI: A marriage certificate cannot make a Hindu marriage valid if the couple never performed the essential religious rites, including Saptapadi — the seven sacred steps taken around the fire — the Gujarat high court has ruled.

The court said in its order that the performance of essential ceremonies, such as saptapadi, is the foundation of a Hindu marriage. | India News

According to the court record, the appellant said he learnt of the alleged marriage only when the respondent approached his parents with a marriage certificate claiming to be his…