Supreme Court rules wedding gifts belong to bride alone

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that all jewellery and gifts received by a woman at the time of her marriage are her exclusive property, declaring that neither her husband nor her in-laws have any legal or ownership rights over them. In a written judgement, the apex court said the ruling applies to gold jewellery given by the bride’s parents as well as bridal gifts presented by her in-laws. The court also clarified that family courts have the legal authority to hear and decide disputes involving the recovery of a woman’s jewellery and personal belongings. The judgement was issued by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and authored by Justice Shakeel Ahmed. The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal filed by the bride’s in-laws seeking the return of the jewellery. The court further ruled that any woman seeking the return of her gold jewellery or personal belongings from her husband or mother-in-law can file a case in the family court, which is legally bound to hear and decide the matter in accordance with the law.

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