Report No. 15

56. Penalty for not deciding objection within prescribed period, or refusal to solemnize marriage.-

Whoever', being a licensed Minister or a Marriage Registrar; in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 16, wilfully or without just cause takes more than thirty days from the date of any objection to an intended marriage for the purpose of inquiring into the matter of the objection and arriving at a decision, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.

(2) Whoever, being a licensed Minister or a Marriage Registrar, refuses, without just cause, to solemnise a marriage under this Act shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or with both.