Uttarakhand: HC seeks government's response on marriage of girls below 18 years of age under Muslim law

The Uttarakhand High Court has sought the response of the state and central government on a PIL seeking to declare illegal the marriage of girls below the age of 18 years, which is permitted by Muslim law. This PIL has been filed by the Youth Bar Association of India. Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice R hearing the petition on Friday, a division bench of C. Kolby directed the Center and the Uttarakhand government to file a reply in this matter.

It has been said in the petition that Muslim Personal Law allows marriage of girls below the age of 18 years. Due to this, the courts are bound to provide protection to young married girls who have not yet turned 18. The PIL states that such marriages cause health problems in young girls who become pregnant after a physical relationship or give birth to a child at such a young age.

It said allowing marriage of girls below the age of 18 years is an offense under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. The petition said that such marriages should not only be declared illegal, but those who have physical relations with women below the age of 18 years under the guise of marriage should also be booked under the POCSO Act.

It has also been suggested in the PIL that the age of marriage of a woman should be increased from 18 years to 21 years and that no such marriage, regardless of caste or religion, unless such provision is made, In which the age of the woman is less than 18 years, it should be declared illegal.