SC rules husband, in-laws have no right over wife's gold, gifts
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that gold jewellery and gifts given to a bride at the time of marriage belong solely to her. The court said that neither the husband nor his family has any legal right to claim ownership of those items.
In its detailed judgment, the apex court stated that all jewellery, gifts and personal belongings received by a bride from her parents, relatives or friends remain her exclusive personal property. It said these items cannot be retained, used or claimed by anyone without the woman’s consent.
The court also ruled that keeping a bride’s jewellery or personal belongings against her wishes amounts to the unlawful deprivation of her property rights. It stressed that every woman has full legal protection over her personal property.
The judgment further explained that ownership of a gift depends on the intention of the person giving it. If a gift is presented to the bride, it legally belongs to her, and her husband or in-laws cannot retain, use, or claim ownership of it without her consent.
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The Supreme Court also confirmed that Family Courts have full jurisdiction to hear cases related to the recovery of bridal jewellery, dowry and other personal belongings. Women have the legal right to approach Family Courts to recover their property.
The verdict was issued by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi. Justice Shakeel Ahmed authored the judgment. The court dismissed the husband’s appeal and upheld the earlier decision of the Lahore High Court in favour of the bride.
The ruling is being seen as an important step towards protecting women’s property rights and ensuring that brides can legally recover their jewellery and other personal belongings if they are unlawfully withheld after marriage.
