A boy and girl, who appeared to be younger than the official age of consent sought legal advice regarding marriage and Its registration. The lawyer sus pcctlng them to be underage, advised them that the legal age of consent was 18 years for a girl and 21 years for a boy

Three days later they filed an affidavit stating that since they were 25 and 18 years old respec Uvely. and had developed a liking for each other, they had agreed: "to marry and to maintain mar ital relation* according to the laws of the Shariah, and would like to receive social recognition as husband and wife."

An affidavit generally provide* legal confir mation of a contractual agreement. But fl Is used fairly Irresponsibly to sanction an otherwise unauthorised ate. In thi* case, for Instance, the affidavit was obtained to provide official con

firmation of marriage, and In full awareness by the parties that they had not stated their correct ages.

Two days after their marriage, the husband left his wife. In the meantime h1s parents started making financial demands from the daughter In law: she or her family was asked to give Tk 3064.0 as dowry, 2 bhuris of gold and to feed 100 guests. Her parents were not opposed to the dowry demand but were not able to afford the terms of exchange. As such the girl had to go back to stay with her father. She c^me back to the lawyer to seek their help In restoring her marital relationship with her husband. The lawyers were unable to help her because she did not have her registered kablnama.

Did the ardent young man. having persuaded the girl Into marriage, turn cold when he realised there was no financial advantage for him.

— AIN O SALISH KENDRA