SC: UP Home Secretary asked to appear in Muslim girl's case

On Thursday, the Supreme Court told the Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Home to appear before it on Monday, noting that the govt had failed to lodge a reply to the complaint of a minor Muslim girl challenging Allahabad High Court order declaring her marriage void.

A Bench led by Justice N. V. Ramana directed the State Home Secretary to appear personally before the tribunal, noting that despite being given an chance, the state government has not submitted its response. 

The govt of Uttar Pradesh has requested more time to respond to the plea.

The court was hearing a 16-year-old Muslim girl's plea, who was ordered to remain in a women's shelter in Uttar Pradesh after the Allahabad High Court found her marriage void.

The high court rejected her plea against the order of the trial court, noting that since she was a "minor" her case would be dealt in accordance with the 2015 Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, and since she did not want to join her parents, the order was okay to send her to the shelter.

According to Islamic law, once a woman reaches the age of puberty (15 yrs), she is free to make decisions in her life and eligible to marry any of her own choices, the Muslim girl said in her plea.

( With inputs from IANS )