HC issues rule seeking guidelines for dower payment
Barrister Fahmida Akhter appeared for the petitioner during the hearing.
The High Court has issued a rule asking the government to explain why it should not be directed to formulate guidelines for the payment and realisation of 'denmohor' (dower) fixed at the time of marriage.
The court directed the law secretary, the inspector general of registration and the relevant authorities to respond to the rule within four weeks.
The bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order today (13 July) following a hearing on a writ petition, court sources said.
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Barrister Fahmida Akhter appeared for the petitioner during the hearing.
Earlier, on 5 July, Barrister Fahmida Akhter, a Supreme Court lawyer, filed the writ seeking a directive to formulate a mechanism and guidelines for the recovery of dower fixed at the time of marriage.
The writ sought a rule asking why the authorities should not be directed to frame and issue comprehensive guidelines under Section 10 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961.
According to the petition, the proposed guidelines should include a mechanism for determining and recovering the value of deferred dower payable more than one year after the date of marriage. It argues that such a framework is necessary to protect women's legal and financial rights, remove ambiguity in Section 10 of the ordinance and ensure justice.
