Karachi Court sentences Christian youth for second marriage
Karachi: The Judicial Magistrate East of Karachi has sentenced Christian youth Joshua Ilyas to 9 years imprisonment and a fine of 25,000 rupees for violating the Pakistan Christian Marriage Act. This marks the first sentence in Sindh under this specific law.
The prosecution argued that Ilyas had already married Aster one and a half years ago but later sent her to Dubai. Upon her return, she discovered he had remarried, which is considered illegal under the Pakistan Christian Marriage Act.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court sentenced Ilyas to 9 years imprisonment. He will also face an additional 2 months of imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.
The plaintiff's lawyer praised the decision, stating that it sends a strong message against second marriages within the Christian community.
The Pakistan Christian Marriage Act governs the solemnization, registration, and dissolution of marriages among Christians in Pakistan. It was enacted in 1872 and has been amended several times since then.
The act prohibits bigamy, polygamy, and forced marriages. It also lays down the procedure for obtaining a divorce.
According to the case details, Aster, the first wife, had filed a complaint against Ilyas at the Mahmoodabad police station following a court order. The police investigated the case and submitted a charge sheet against Ilyas.
The court subsequently framed charges against Ilyas under Section 5 of the Pakistan Christian Marriage Act, which deals with the offense of bigamy.
