2: Definitions

Plain-Language Summary

A general explanation to aid understanding. The official statutory text appears below.

This section defines the following terms used in The Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act: • Act — the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026 • best interests of the child — the child’s well-being and holistic development, including safety, health, education, dignity, identity and protection from abuse, exploitation and harmful practices, to be assessed in the light of the child's age and evolving capacities • child — a person, male or female, who is under eighteen years of age • child marriage — an act of Nikah or solemnizing a marriage where both or either of the contracting parties is a child • Code — the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898) • contracting party — either of the parties whose Nikah or marriage is, or about to be, performed or solemnized • Court — the Court of Sessions as provided under the Code • Government — Government of the Punjab; and • guardian — a natural guardian or a guardian appointed under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 (VIII of 1890) This is the official statutory text, shown as written — it is not a paraphrase or a legal opinion. Consult a verified lawyer to see how it applies to your specific situation.

Definitions.– In the Act: (a) “Act” means the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026; (b) “best interests of the child” means the child’s well-being and holistic development, including safety, health, education, dignity, identity and protection from abuse, exploitation and harmful practices, to be assessed in the light of the child's age and evolving capacities; (c) “child” means a person, male or female, who is under eighteen years of age; (d) “child marriage” means an act of Nikah or solemnizing a marriage where both or either of the contracting parties is a child; (e) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898); (f) “contracting party” means either of the parties whose Nikah or marriage is, or about to be, performed or solemnized; (g) “Court” means the Court of Sessions as provided under the Code; (h) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; and (i) “guardian” means a natural guardian or a guardian appointed under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 (VIII of 1890).

Effective date: 2026-05-11

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