Report No. 90

4.2. Section 5-Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872.-

Section 5, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872 reads as under:-

5. "Persons by whom marriage may be solemnized:-

Marriages may be solemnised in India:-

(1) by any person who has received episcopal ordination, provided that the marriage be solemnized according to the rules, rites, ceremonies and customs of the Church of which he is a Minister;

(2) by any clergyman of the Church of Scotland, provided that such marriage be solemnized according to the rules, rites, ceremonies and customs of the Church of Scotland;

(3) by any Minister of Religion licensed under this Act to solemnize marriage;

(4) by, or in the presence of, a Marriage Registrar appointed under this Act;

(5) by any person licensed under this Act to grant certificates of marriage between Indian Christians.

Clauses (1) and (2) of the section are of particular relevance to the point under discussion.