The High Court has ordered an investigation into an incident where Mohir Uddin, 85, was forced to marry a 12 years old girl in an “illegal” village arbitration in Dewanganj of Jamalpur.
The High Court bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice Shahed Nuruddin passed the order on Tuesday.
Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar confirmed the matter.
The court also ordered the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Jamalpur, and officer-in-charge of Dewangonj to submit a probe report within November 26.
According to locals, the elderly man’s grandson Shahin, 18, had a romantic relation with the girl and at one point she became pregnant.
She also had an abortion about two-three weeks ago but the news spread in the village.
The locals then punished Shahin’s grandfather for his offence and subjected him to 10 lashes of a whip and forced Mohir to marry the girl.
Mohir's neighbours said his first and second wives had died. He got married for the third time 27 years ago.
The child is his fourth wife. He is the father of seven children.
Mohir can't speak properly now, his eyesight is also blurred. He is now in dire straits with his 12-year-old bride.
