# Voter list entry not proof of valid Hindu marriage: Patna HC 2026-08-12T16:18:21+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Patna High Court has ruled that an entry in the voter list showing a person as a spouse is not conclusive proof of a valid Hindu marriage. LiveLaw reports that a Division Bench dismissed an appeal by Durgawati Devi, who claimed to have married her deceased husband's younger brother after the elder brother's death. The court noted she failed to provide details of the marriage ceremony, such as date, place, rituals performed, or names of the priest. Without evidence of rites like saptapadi or sindurdaan, the court held the marriage was not proved under the Hindu Marriage Act. The earlier maintenance order was not binding on the question of marriage validity. ## Coverage - livelaw.in Tags: family law, Hindu Marriage Act, maintenance, marriage proof, Patna High Court, voter list Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/voter-list-entry-not-proof-of-valid-hindu-marriage-patna-hc/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/voter-list-entry-not-proof-of-valid-hindu-marriage-patna-hc/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.