LODHRAN: A civil court in Lodhran sentenced a man to six months in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 500,000 for contracting a second marriage without the consent of his first wife, as required by the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961.
Shakeela Bibi, a resident of Tehsil Kahror Pakka, lodged a petition against her husband, Mohsin, accusing him of violating Section 6 of the ordinance. The law mandates that a man must seek permission from the Arbitration Council and obtain the consent of his first wife before entering a second marriage.
Family court judge Tahira Shehzad Khan, after evaluating the evidence, found Mohsin guilty of bypassing the legal process. The court ruled that if the accused fails to pay the Rs 500,000 fine, his imprisonment will be extended by an additional two months.
Following the verdict, police apprehended Mohsin from the court premises and transferred him to Bahawalpur’s central jail.
Legal Framework
Under Section 6 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961, a man intending to marry again must first approach the Arbitration Council. The council consults the existing wife or wives, who are required to nominate a representative for the arbitration process. Only after the council determines the validity of the justification can the second marriage proceed legally.
Non-compliance with this legal process not only invalidates the second marriage but also subjects the violator to legal penalties. These include paying the entire dower to the first wife and facing up to one year in prison along with a fine of Rs 500,000.
The ruling underscores the significance of adhering to legal protocols in marital matters to protect the rights of all parties involved.
