Dhaka, May 04 (V7N) – The High Court has issued a rule asking why a legal provision that punishes only men for sexual relations made under false promises of marriage should not be declared unconstitutional and repealed.

The rule was issued on Sunday (May 4) by a bench headed by Justice Habibul Gani, following an initial hearing of a writ petition filed on April 7. The Law Ministry's two secretaries have been directed to respond to the court’s query.

According to Ishrat Hasan, counsel for the petitioner, the provision criminalizes men with a penalty of up to seven years in prison, solely on the basis of failing to fulfill a marriage promise, which she argues is inconsistent with the Constitution and violates civil rights and principles of justice.

The provision in question is part of the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Act, originally enacted in 2008. On March 25, the interim government amended the law through an ordinance, prompting legal scrutiny over whether the revised law unjustly targets men.

"The law’s gender-specific punishment is discriminatory and must be reviewed in light of the Constitution’s guarantees of equality and justice," said Hasan.

The court will hear further arguments after receiving replies from the law ministry.

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