Marriage rules are against Central Act�

KOCHI: The Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules, 2008 are against the provisions of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 and also make illegal marriages valid, a public interest writ petition filed before a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has said. The petitioner, Joseph of Kaloor, said the rules were made in compliance with a Supreme Court directive. The apex court directed all State governments in February 2006 to issue rules for making registration of marriages solemnised in their States compulsory, irrespective of religion. The circumstances mentioned in the Supreme Court judgment and the purpose of the State rules were contrary to the provisions of the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The third proviso to Rule 6 provided an opportunity for making valid even marriages which were otherwise void or illegal as per the Special Marriage Act.