Pradeep (name changed), 24, an engineer with a public sector undertaking, decided to marry his companion, who is four months younger to him, under the Special Marriage Act without the knowledge of their parents. He opted for the special law because he “knew” his parents would be sorely opposed to their son marrying a “manglik” girl.

The district marriage officer, however, proved a dampener for the couple’s wedding plans: he informed them that a “notice of intended marriage” would be sent to both their parents, at their respective residences. A copy of the notice would also reach the local police stations for verification of their addresses, the district marriage officer said.

“The intended marriage will be disclosed to my parents in case copy of the notice is sent to my residence,” Pradeep told Justice S Ravindra Bhat in his petition on Wednesday. “This will in turn raise a number of emotional, social issues on our (the couple’s) cultural, social and economic background.”

The court today issued notice to the government and the marriage officer on the man’s plea for a judicial declaration that the practices followed by the marriage officer was against the scheme of the Act, and in direct violation of his fundamental rights.