Jain Community Remains Under Hindu Marriage Act, Says HC

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court upheld that the Jain community remains within the purview of the Hindu Marriage Act, rejecting an appeal that followed minority status granted in 2014. A software engineer's plea for divorce under the act was initially denied by the Family Court.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court in Indore has affirmed that the Jain community continues to fall under the purview of the Hindu Marriage Act despite their minority status being recognized in 2014. This decision was handed down following a plea by a software engineer challenging a previous Family Court ruling.

The Family Court had dismissed the engineer's mutual consent divorce application based on the minority status. However, the High Court found the Family Court's refusal to be a case of 'grave illegality and manifest impropriety.'

The High Court emphasized that despite the minority status notification, no amendments were made to exclude Jain community members from the act. The court directed the Family Court to proceed with the divorce petition in accordance with the Hindu Marriage Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)