In a significant move to curb child marriages, a newly enacted law now holds Nikah Khuwans accountable for verifying the age of both parties before solemnizing a marriage. The legislation strictly prohibits officiating any nikah if either the bride or groom is underage.
Violations of this law can lead to serious consequences. Nikah Khuwans found guilty of conducting such marriages may face up to one year in prison along with a fine of Rs. 100,000. This clause aims to ensure that officiants play a proactive role in preventing underage unions.
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The law goes further by targeting adult men who marry girls below the age of 18. Offenders could now face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment, making it one of the most stringent crackdowns on child marriage in recent years.
This legislative shift marks a major step in safeguarding the rights of children and holding all responsible parties, including religious officiants and adult grooms, accountable for violating age-related marriage laws.
