Kerala HC Says First Wife Must Be Heard Before Muslim Man’s Second Marriage Is Registered

Kochi, Nov 4 (PTI) The Kerala High Court here has ruled that if a Muslim man wants to register his second marriage under the Kerala Registration of Marriages (Common) Rules 2008, while his earlier one is still in existence, his first wife should also be heard on whether she is agreeable to it or not.

While making the ruling, Justice P V Kunhikrishnan also said that in such situation religion is secondary and constitutional rights are supreme.

Therefore, "customary law is not applicable when the question of registering a second marriage arises", the judge said.