The Rule of Law cannot be high jacked for the benefit of a particular person. But this is exactly what Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has autocratically done.
Overruling the Law Secretary and State Registrar, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on 17th January merely recorded on file that he had telephonically discussed the matter with Advocate General Atmaram Nadkani while directing that a notification be immediately issued appointing all Civil cum Sub Registrars as Marriage officers under the Special Marriage Act. The notification was issued despite the Law Secretary and State Registrar having opined that the Special Marriage Act had not been extended to Goa. This 17th January notification was hurriedly issued within a day to facilitate the marriage of former Solicitor General of India Harish Salve’s daughter Saaniya Salve with Armaan Siddiqui which was solemnized at Goa on February 24th at the Kingfisher Villa in Candolim. Harish Salve was the amicus curiae before the Supreme Court in the Goa illegal Mining case. After that 17th January notification was issued Delhi based Saaniya Salve in her notice of intended Marriage submitted to Panaji Sub Registrar three days later on 20th January falsely declared that she was residing in Goa for more than six months while giving her address as 105/106 Altess Manor at Tonca, Caranzalem which is an apartment owned by Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni. She did not submit a residence certificate nor an affidavit to the effect while the Marriage officer also did not demand it. To date the Saaniya Salve marriage with Armaan Siddiqui is the only one to be registered under the Special Marriage Act in Goa after that January 17th controversial notification. The Special Marriage Act having not been extended to Goa, no such notification appointing Marriage officers could have been issued under an Act which is not operative in Goa. The notification issued on January 17th is totally illegal and must be immediately revoked. So also the marriage of Saaniya Salve with Armaan Siddiqui solemnised under that illegal notification must be declared null and void. This issue will be given a legal challenge to assert that the law cannot be distorted, twisted and swirled to the whims and pleasures of the rich and powerful. Those in power should get a very clear message that they cannot high-handedly be fiddling with the law for vested interest. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
