The Supreme Court of Pakistan has, in a landmark judgment, ruled that gold jewellery gifted to a bride at the time of marriage is her exclusive personal property, and that the husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, or any other members of the husband’s family have no legal or ownership rights over it.
The ruling was delivered by a three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi. The bench also included Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Shakeel Ahmed, who authored the judgment.
In its decision, the Supreme Court clarified that gold jewellery and bridal gifts presented to the bride by her parents, relatives, or friends shall be considered her sole property.
The court further held that withholding the bride’s jewellery or gifts amounts to unlawfully depriving her of her ownership rights. It also ruled that the husband or his family cannot take possession of or make unauthorized use of the bride’s jewellery.
The Supreme Court also ruled that ownership of any gift should be determined based on the intention for which the gift was given.
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The judgment further stated that a wife may approach the Family Court for the return of her jewellery, dowry, and personal belongings, and that the Family Court has full jurisdiction to hear cases related to the recovery of jewellery, dowry, and personal property.
