LHC fines man for re-marrying without first wife consent

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday rejected an appeal submitted by a man found guilty of marrying a second time without the permission of his first wife, affirming three months’ imprisonment and a Rs1 million fine.

While hearing, Chief Justice Aalia Neulm inquired from the attorney for the petitioner if the wife’s aging could be a valid reason for contracting another marriage.

She also asked, “If women also begin doing this, then what will become of society?” The bench clarified that no reason could take precedence over the legal need to obtain prior permission before contracting a second marriage.

The man married for the first time in 1999 and again married in 2017, the convict’s lawyer told the court. The court was also told that the man had also initiated a claim so that he could settle issues with his first wife.

But when Chief Justice Neelam asked if this claim was initiated before or after the second marriage, the lawyer was unable to give a proper answer.

The Lahore High Court upheld the three months’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs1 million verdict of the lower court. The bench noted the convict’s counsel had made no valid grounds against the sentence in the appeal.