PESHAWAR, May 24: Senior Civil Judge Asghar Shah Khilji on Wednesday sentenced a bridegroom to one month’s imprisonment and fined him Rs500,000 for violating the law banning meals in wedding parties.

The court directed the town administrations to book owners and managers of marriage halls and clubs as well as principals of educational institutions where valima meals were served in violation of the ordinance and directives of the Supreme Court.

The judge ordered that apart from the bridegroom, other concerned people should also be charged in such cases.

The court observed that accused Sher Khan was found guilty of violating the Marriage Functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Display and Wasteful Expenses) Ordinance, 2000, by serving meals in his valima on Dec 5, 2005.

Sher Khan was shifted to the central prison after the judgment was pronounced.

The judge has been trying alleged offenders in 52 cases registered by the administration of the four towns in Peshawar.