Punjab proposed bill to ban marriage under 18 age with heavy fines

The Punjab government has proposed a bill to ban marriage under 18 years of age with heavy fines under the Punjab Child Marriage Restriction Act, 2024.

Anyone who organizes or marries under the age of eighteen will face severe punishment under this law. Any person violating this act will face a jail sentence of a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years.

However, anyone found to have registered the marriage of a minor kid will face a minimum two-year jail sentence. Or a maximum three-year jail sentence, and a fine of between one lakh and two lakh rupees.

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However, parents or guardians who encourage, help, or approve the marriage of a child will face these punishments. The proposed bill states that anyone who files complaints about child marriages may include the parents or guardians of the children.

Also, guilty neighbors, community members, teachers, and local organizations representatives will face punishment. Moreover, social workers, friends, mosque imams, Nikah Khawan, and Nikah Registrars can also come under this act.

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The courts will hold a trial for anyone found guilty of this offense under Section 3 of the Family Court Act, 1964. It granted powers to the court under Section 20. Nikah Khawan, the Secretary of the Union Council, and the Marriage Registrar will verify the couple’s age.

They will verify marriage registration by going through their passports, educational records, computerized identity cards, and other documentation. Hence, they must attach marriage certificates with attested copies of these documents.

Hence, a violation of the new Punjab proposed bill to ban marriage under 18 age would be dealt with as a serious offense. The proposed new bill also allows police to arrest anyone who violates the Act and get an irreversible warrant.