LHC orders concrete measures to prevent child marriages

Lahore: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Saturday dismissed the bail before arrest of the accused who abducted and raped a 14-year-old girl. The court ordered concrete measures to prevent child marriages.

According to details, Justice Anwaar-ul-Haq Pannu issued a detailed judgment of 22 pages. The court ordered a copy of the judgment to be sent to Inspector General (IG) Punjab, Prosecutor General Punjab and Director Local Government.

The written verdict said that Prosecutor General Punjab with the assistance of IG Punjab should make Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to child marriages.

It has been said in the verdict that according to the doctors, the kidnapped girl is 13 or 14 years old. According to the accused, he did not kidnap the girl but married her.

According to the records, the accused has violated the Prevention of Child Marriage Act.  He was bound to follow Pakistani laws before getting married.

The court stated that the victim girl has also given a statement against the accused about kidnapping and raping her. The accused Shahid Imran has been found guilty during the police investigation and his bail before arrest has been canceled.

It should be noted that a case has been registered against the accused in Sargodha under other provisions including kidnapping and rape.