Marriage registry office at Kutchery in Ranchi. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Sept. 7: Pay a fee to register your marriage.

Anything unusual? Nothing, till Rahul and Sanjana (both names changed on request) found themselves virtually trapped by a youth outside the marriage registrar’s office.

Rahul was ready to pay the registration fees, as required, to turn their years-long affair into marriage.

But Rahul did not know anything about an extra Rs 200 which the youth was demanding to turn up as his “brother”.

“Rs 100 will not serve the purpose of being an witness. I need at least Rs 200 for my work. If you do not pay the amount, I will disclose my identity before the registrar saying that I am not your brother,” the youth was heard saying to Rahul outside the office.

Incidents like this is quite common on the office premises. Sources at the registrar’s office said some of the civil court advocates have good connection with such fake witnesses.

“Fake witnesses are hand-in-glove with some lawyers having little practice. They keep in regular touch with registry officials and advocates to extend their paid service to couples in need. Those engaging lawyers for solemnising marriage on contract basis easily get service of fake witnesses,” said a broker requesting anonymity.

One of the fake witnesses, who could not get any client today, supported the fact saying that the practice did not harm anyone.

“Becoming witness of a marriage is not bad. If anyone asks me to become his or her brother what is harm in it? The practice does not only help complete legal formality easily but also provide some money to poor people like us,” the “witness” said on condition of anonymity.

A groom, like Rahul, expressed his compulsion of taking help of fake witnesses.

“I am an outsider. My girlfriend is a local resident. Our parents are against our marriage. While my friends were not ready to come to Ranchi to participate in the court marriage, my girlfriend is afraid of taking help of her friends. She wants to keep the marriage secret till both of us settle. In this situation taking help of fake witnesses is safe,” he said requesting anonymity.

Marriage registrar Sahedeo Mehra denied the fact saying he had not received any complaint against any fake witness during his one-year service at this office.

He, however, admitted that there was no system to check the genuineness of witnesses.

“We rely on the couples who appear before me for marriage after proper verification of their age, identity and address proof in my office. If they identify wrong persons as their relatives or friends, it is their problem. I will book the couple in case of any problem. But till date I have not received any complaint in this regard,” Mehra added.

Vinod Sahu, a civil court lawyer, said that knowing the genuineness of all the person involved in marriage is a must to avoid any trouble in future.

“Prior to the solemnisation of the marriage, the parties and three witnesses sign a declaration in front of a marriage officer, who also sign the document. In case any wrong person puts his signature, it is against the spirit of law,” he added.

According to the Indian Special Marriage Act, 1954, prior to the solemnisation of the marriage, the parties and three witnesses must sign a declaration in front of a marriage officer, who will also sign the document.