The Delhi High Court has said it may be time for the country to move towards a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), noting that conflicts between personal laws and national legislation risk criminalising communities and undermining legal certainty. The remarks came from Justice Arun Monga while granting bail to a 24- year old man accused of marrying a girl who was 14 at the time of marriage.

Conflict between personal and penal laws

According to court records, the prosecutrix supported her husband and opposed his prosecution. While Muslim personal law treats puberty, presumed at 15 - as sufficient to enter into marriage, documents showed she was 14 when the marriage took place.

Justice Monga underlined the recurring clash: Islamic law may recognise such marriages, but under the Protection of Childr

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