Madurai: In the absence of evidence like wedding invitation and photographs, the cohabitation of a man and woman for a long time could be taken as a valid proof of marriage, the Madras High Court has ruled.

A division bench of the Court's Madurai bench, comprising Justices S Manikumar and CT Selvam, revedrsed the order of Tirunelveli family court Judge, who declined to entertain an application for divorce, citing lack of evidence to prove that the couple was married. The matter will not go to the trial court for hearing.