Punjab government on Wednesday passed the Compulsory Registration of Marriages Bill act. The Bill which was presented by justice minister Upinderjit Kaur, is also intended for compliance with directions of Supreme Court which were delivered in the Seema versus Ashwani Kumar case, 2005, seeking adoption of Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act in all states.

Objects & reasons cited in the Bill state that the legislation is meant to mitigate hardships faced by women in Punjab because of matrimonial disputes, bigamy or polygamy and about their legal right to property. It wants to prevent parents or guardians from selling daughters or young girls under the garb of marriage.

The Bill call for appointment of a chief registrar of marriages, district registrars of marriages & a registrar of marriages who will register marriages solemnized in the state under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act 1937, Anand Marriage Act, 1909 or any other custom of personal law related to marriages.