LHC orders measures against child marriage

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has rejected the pre-arrest bail of an individual suspected of kidnapping and subsequently raping a 14-year-old girl.

In addition to this decision, the court has emphasised the necessity of taking effective measures to prevent child marriages.

Justice Anwaarul Haq Pannu issued a comprehensive 22-page judgment detailing the case’s intricacies. The court mandated the distribution of the judgment to key authorities, including the Punjab Inspector General of Police, the Punjab Prosecutor General, and the Director of Local Government.

Furthermore, the LHC instructed the Prosecutor General to formulate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) concerning early child marriages, collaborating closely with the Punjab police chief. The court is resolute in its stance on curbing child marriages, urging tangible actions to thwart such practices.

The judgment highlighted the victim’s age, indicating that medical professionals estimate her to be around 13 or 14 years old. The suspect, however, claims to have married the girl instead of abducting her.

The court’s scrutiny revealed that the suspect has violated the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929. The verdict underlined that the suspect is legally obligated to adhere to Pakistani laws before entering into a marriage.

The victim has recounted her ordeal, citing abduction and rape as the charges against the suspect. The police investigation found the suspect guilty, according to the court’s decision.

The individual is facing a case encompassing various charges, including kidnapping and rape, in Sargodha.