In the absence of customary rites and ceremonies of either parties to marriage, the marriage is not valid In the Case of Chanmuniya v. Virendra Kumar Singh Kushwaha ((2011) 1 SCC 141, the Supreme court of India observed that, The marriage under Sec 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, in absence of customary rites and ceremonies of either parties to marriage is not valid. It is not enough that the parties are living with together as a Husband & Wife. The word ‘wife’ in Section 125 of CRPC should be interpreted to mean only a legally wedded wife. Reddy and Reddy Law Firm has a strong Family Law practice and the team has expertise in handling matters relating to matrimonial disputes , Partition , Wills, inheritance, adoption etc.