Minimum age for girls’ marriage stays 18yrs

The cabinet today approved the draft of the 'Child Marriage Prevention Act 2016' fixing minimum age for girls' marriage at 18 years and incorporating a provision for special marriage.

Girls under 18 can get married in special cases subject to clearance from the court and parents' consent, Cabinet Secretary M Shafiul Alam told reporters at the secretariat about the draft law.

The draft law has increased both the sectors of different crimes related to child marriage and sentences for those crimes, he said.

Educational certificates, birth registration or passport documents will be considered for counting the ages of the bride and bridegroom, according to the draft.

The draft law has increased the sectors of different crimes related to child marriage and terms of sentences for those crimes as well, he said.

In the draft of the law, the charge of violating the court order carries jail term up to six months and a fine up to Tk 10,000 or both.

Meanwhile, six months' imprisonment or Tk 30,000 fine or both will be subject to those who will bring false charges of child marriage.

If two underage boy and girl get married, they can be detained for 15 days and fined Tk 5,000, the draft law stipulates. On the under hand, any adult who will marry an underage girl would be awarded two-year jail sentence or Tk 1 lakh fine or both.

Parents and marriage registrar can be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail or Tk 50,000 fine or both for violation of the law.

However, child marriage cases will be dealt like other criminal offences. In addition, mobile court can also try the accused, the cabinet secretary said.