UP Govt to Investigate Arya Samaj Societies Over Claims of Illegal Marriages.

Mischief of Arya Samaj Surfaced: Hindu Girls Given in Marriage to Muslim Boys.

Arya Samaj Societies in UP Spotlight as Court Orders Probe into Alleged Illegal Marriages.

Saunak Roy Choudhury | HENB | Lucknow | July 31, 2025:: The Allahabad High Court has directed the Home Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government to initiate an investigation into the functioning of Arya Samaj societies allegedly conducting illegal marriages across the state, even between Hindu girls and Muslim boys. This direction comes in response to a series of reported instances involving the marriage of minor girls, often without proper age verification or adherence to the state’s anti-conversion law—the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

Justice Prashant Kumar, while passing the order, remarked: “The Secretary, Home, Govt. of U.P. is directed to get the matter investigated by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police, as to how such fake Arya Samaj societies have proliferated across the state—conducting marriages, including those of minor girls, issuing certificates, and violating provisions of the U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.”

The court further directed that a compliance report be submitted in the form of a personal affidavit by the next date of hearing. The case arose from a plea filed by one Muslim boy, Sonu alias Sahnur, who sought to quash a summoning order issued against him in connection with an FIR lodged in September last year. He had been booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor Hindu girl.

In his defense, Sonu’s counsel contended that he had married the girl in February 2020, and that she began residing with him only after attaining majority. However, the court found that the girl was a minor at the time of the alleged marriage. It held that such a marriage lacked legal sanctity as it was neither registered under the Uttar Pradesh Marriage Registration Rules, 2017, nor preceded by a valid religious conversion.

The court observed, “In the instant case, marriage has not been registered. The record further shows that at the time of the alleged incident, the victim was a minor, and in no way would any such marriage solemnized by her be legally valid.” The court also noted that the applicant and the victim belonged to different religions. The boy was Muslim, and the girl was Hindu.

Although the applicant claimed that the marriage had been solemnized at an Arya Samaj Mandir in Prayagraj, the court held that without a lawful religious conversion, such a marriage was not valid under existing laws. Consequently, the court dismissed the plea seeking to quash the summoning order and the proceedings under the POCSO Act, reiterating that the marriage had no legal standing due to the victim’s minority and the failure to comply with mandatory legal procedures.

See the Court order here:  Allahabad High Court Directs Probe into Arya Samaj Societies’ Alleged Role in Illegal Marriages.

The matter is scheduled to be heard next on August 29. Advocate Parmeshwar Yadav appeared on behalf of the applicant.

The Arya Samaj’s stance on Hindu traditions has raised concerns. They are known to oppose idol worship (Vigraha Archana), a practice significant to Sanatani Hindus, and have also been accused of defaming the ‘Hindu’ identity of Sanatani people. Additionally, allegations have surfaced regarding their involvement in facilitating interfaith marriages between Hindu girls and Muslim boys, potentially without adhering to legal procedures.

Now this question has come to fore: Is the Arya Samaj collaborating with Muslims to carry out anti-Hindu activities? Are they receiving funds from Arabic sources?
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__Inputs from Latest Laws.