PESHAWAR, May 27: The Peshawar senior civil judge on Saturday convicted a principal of the Gulbahar Technical Vocational Centre and a bridegroom for violating the law banning meals in marriage ceremonies and sentenced them to one month imprisonment with fine of Rs300,000 each.

This is the first time that a principal of an institution has been convicted for allowing meal at the institution during a marriage ceremony, which is a crime under the Marriage Functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Display and Wasteful Expenses) Ordinance, 2000.

Judge Asghar Shah Khilji observed that principal Haleem Shah and bridegroom Subhani Wadud were found guilty of the offence under the law. The court observed that the prosecution had proved that meal was served during the marriage ceremony.

The case against the bridegroom was registered by the Town municipal officer of Town Council 1. The ‘valima’ was held at the Technical Vocational Centre on Dec 19, 2005.

Mr Khilji had three days ago ordered the administration to book principals of educational institutions and managers of hotels, clubs and marriage halls involved in violation of the marriage ordinance. About 52 cases are pending before the court under the ordinance.

Till now the court has convicted accused persons in three cases whereas in one of the case the accused was acquitted.

Out of the four town councils in the Peshawar capital city, only the TMO of Town Council 1 had registered cases against people violating the law.