Karachi: Security guard sentenced to 2 years in prison for marrying underage girl

A Karachi court has handed down two-year imprisonment to a man for marrying an underage girl.

District East Judicial Magistrate Noor Ahmed Chandio also imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on the convict and warned that in case of failure to pay the fine, he would have to undergo additional imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, on January 16, Azhar Ali, who worked as a security guard in the family’s neighbourhood, enticed a 16-year-old girl to accompany him to his native place.

Three days later, the accused married the girl, who was below 18 years at the time.

In court testimony, the teenage girl stated that she travelled with Ali to Naushahro Feroze on the night of January 16 in a rented car. She told the court they stayed there for three days and contracted “love marriage.”

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In his written order, the magistrate noted, “I would remark that in cases of Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act the mens rea and actus rea of male contracting marriage, nikah khuwan and marriage witnesses are already proved, when all parties are knowing that with their ulterior motives child marriage is to be solemnised."

"In accordance with Rule 3 of the Child Marriages Restraint Rules, 2016 nikhakhuwan for conduct / solemnising child marriage was required to sign affidavit stating that he has satisfied himself about the age of contracting parties as not being less than 18 years. Such affidavit shall be attached with the nikahnama,” the judge remarked.

The nikahkhuwan and two witnesses of the nikkah were declared fugitives by the court.