Hi,
I got married to my girl friend of 3 yrs in Arya Samaj temple in Sep, 2008 because the girls parents were not ready. Now, the girl's family has totally brainwashed her and she is asking me for out of court settlement, as they don't want to do the court formalities. Girl is also ready to marry another person and they are pressuring me to do it otherwise they will charge me with dowry and s*xual harassment cases.
I have- Marriage certificate, small video of marriage , 1 witness
Status- We never got the marriage registered in court. We were not living together after marriage continiously but it was consumated.
I want to know-
1. Is this marriage legally valide (it was not registered, we were not living together) ?
2. What is the legal option I have if girls parents charge me and my family with dowry and other such charges ?
3. Is out of court settlement a good option, keeping Indian law into considertaion?
4.What are the options with us if we want to get separated legally ? Which would be a better option-annulment or divorce?
Pls. advice.