Man Sentenced to Jail for Second Marriage Without First Wife’s Consent

Accused claims he verbally sought permission from first wife, alleges she has a medical issue.

Lahore (News Desk): In a verdict, the family court of Lahore has imposed a penalty on a man for entering into a second marriage without the consent of his first wife.

Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan has been sentenced to seven months of imprisonment and fined Rs500,000 by Judge Adnan Liaquat of the Family Court Lahore, following a petition filed by Zona Nasar. Barrister Usman G Rashid Cheema represented Nasar, advocating for justice in the court proceedings.

The written judgment highlighted that Khan violated Section 6(5) of the Muslim Family Law Ordinance by contracting a second marriage without obtaining prior written permission from his first wife, as mandated by law.

Despite the legal requirement, Khan proceeded with the second marriage without adhering to the prescribed procedure, leading to the court’s ruling against him.

In addition to the prison sentence, Khan has been ordered to pay a substantial fine of Rs500,000. Failure to comply with the fine would result in an additional one-month imprisonment.

During the proceedings, Aurangzeb Khan claimed that he verbally sought permission from his first wife for the second marriage, with her brother and father present at the time. He also alleged that his first wife had a medical condition.

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The accused, who had initially married on September 24, 2011, entered into the second marriage on March 22, 2021.

The verdict underscores the importance of adhering to legal procedures, particularly regarding second marriages, to avoid legal repercussions. It serves as a reminder for individuals contemplating such unions to navigate the legal framework diligently, ensuring compliance with all necessary procedures to prevent similar legal consequences.