Lahore anti-rape court has sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a marital rape case.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Yab Chadhar announced the verdict against Muhammad Farooq. The decision came after the court heard arguments and examined the evidence.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 on the convicted man.
Additionally, Farooq was ordered to pay Rs. 300,000 as compensation to his wife. The compensation relates to the physical and emotional suffering caused by the offence.
The court directed him to pay this amount separately from the fine. He must also serve the prison term imposed by the court.
Court Sentences Accused After Examining Evidence
According to the prosecution, Kahna police registered an FIR on March 3, 2025.
The case involved allegations of forced and abusive sexual acts against the complainant’s consent.
Prosecutor Rizwan Mahmood represented the prosecution during the proceedings. The court examined the evidence before reaching its decision.
The Lahore court Sentences the accused following the completion of proceedings and arguments presented in the case.
The verdict adds to ongoing judicial scrutiny of non-consensual sexual acts within marriage in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Legal Framework on Marital Sexual Violence
Pakistan’s laws concerning sexual violence within marriage have developed through several legislative changes.
The Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act, 2006, removed the previous marital exemption from the definition of rape.
Subsequent legal reforms have also increased the focus on consent when dealing with sexual violence cases.
Pakistani courts have previously issued notable judgments involving non-consensual sexual activity within marriage.
In January 2024, a Karachi sessions court sentenced a man to three years in prison in such a case.
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute described that ruling as the first conviction of its kind in Sindh.
Verdict Highlights Importance of Consent
The latest Lahore ruling again brings attention to the legal treatment of consent between married partners.
The court Sentences Farooq to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment while also imposing financial penalties.
The ruling requires him to pay both the Rs. 50,000 fine and Rs. 300,000 compensation.
The case also reflects continuing legal debate surrounding sexual violence and consent within marriage.
Courts are increasingly being asked to examine such allegations within Pakistan’s evolving legal framework.
The Lahore verdict highlights how allegations involving spouses can result in criminal prosecution when courts find sufficient evidence.
In other news read more about: Islamabad Authorities Seal Three Sheesha Cafes in Major Crackdown
The judgment may also contribute to wider legal discussion about consent, protection and accountability within marriage.
