Man Sentenced to 80 Lashes for False Accusations in Pakistan Court

In a recent court ruling in southeastern Pakistan, a man has been sentenced to 80 lashes for falsely accusing his former wife of adultery and refusing to accept their daughter. The Additional District and Sessions Judge convicted Fareed Qadir under the Hudood Ordinance 1979 for defamation, as per Section 7(1) which mandates 80 lashes for such offenses.

The case originated from the ex-wife's complaint, stating that despite their brief marriage and the birth of their daughter, Qadir neglected to provide for the child or acknowledge her. Despite his initial denial of paternity, the court found Qadir guilty of fabricating allegations and ordered the lashes as punishment.

While facing corporal punishment, Qadir has been granted bail but must comply with the court's directives for the lashings. This rare judgment marks one of the few instances of such punishment being enforced in recent decades in Pakistan.

Historically, whipping or flogging has been a form of punishment in the region, dating back to the British colonial period. The Pakistan Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, both originating from colonial laws, include provisions for corporal punishment for various offenses.

Despite the controversial nature of such punishments, the court's decision underscores the legal framework's adherence to traditional laws and practices in addressing criminal offenses.