Three Indian sisters marry same man to avoid separation, sparking legal and social debate
- Last updated: July 27, 2026 | 22:10
A unique marriage involving three sisters and one man in India's Uttar Pradesh has ignited widespread debate on social media, while also raising questions about its legal status under Indian law.
The sisters — Saroj, 20, Savitri, 19, and Santosh, 18 — from Dhauriya village in Hasanpur area of Amroha district, reportedly married Vikas, a cameraman who had been working with them, during a private ceremony at Chamunda Mata Temple on July 17.
The unusual wedding remained largely unnoticed until videos of the ceremony surfaced online this week. The footage, which quickly went viral, showed Vikas performing traditional Hindu wedding rituals with each of the three sisters, including applying vermilion (sindoor) to their foreheads. No members of either family were present during the ceremony.
The sisters, who create content for social media platforms, said their decision stemmed from an emotional desire to remain together after marriage. According to them, they had spent their entire lives together and were devastated when their family began discussing separate marriages for each of them.
Speaking in videos shared online, Saroj said the sisters initially felt they could not cope with the prospect of living apart. Instead of accepting separate marriages, they collectively decided to marry the same man so they could continue living together. They stressed that all four individuals involved were adults and had made the decision voluntarily.
Vikas, who had worked as the sisters' cameraman for about six months and often appeared in their videos portraying the role of a husband, said he agreed to the proposal after understanding the close bond shared by the sisters. He said he respected their wishes and believed the decision would allow them to remain united.
The marriage has drawn mixed reactions. While some social media users expressed surprise or support for the group's personal choice, several Hindu organisations criticised the ceremony, arguing that such a marriage was contrary to religious and social traditions, particularly because it took place at a temple.
Responding to the criticism, the sisters defended their decision in another online video. Referring to Hindu mythology, they argued that kings in ancient times had multiple wives and questioned why their own choice should be viewed differently. They maintained that their marriage harmed no one and reflected the free will of consenting adults.
Legal experts, however, say the ceremony carries no legal standing. Allahabad High Court advocate Anurag Pandey said that under the Hindu Marriage Act, a Hindu man cannot legally have more than one wife at the same time. Any such marriage is considered void and does not create a legally valid marital relationship.
Temple manager Dr. Shivcharan Das said no priest was present during the ceremony because renovation work was underway at the temple.
Police in Hasanpur confirmed they had spoken to the couple and their families after the videos circulated online. Officials said all four individuals stated they had acted of their own free will, and no objections had been raised by their parents. Authorities added that no formal complaint has been received, but appropriate legal action would be taken if a complaint is filed or any cognisable offence is found.