Dhaka, April 8 -- A legal challenge has been mounted in the High Court against the validity of a provision of the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children (Amendment) Ordinance that penalises only men for engaging in sex through promises of marriage.

The contest comes in a writ petition that seeks a rule asking why the amended section outlining the punishment for obtaining sex through promises of marriage should not be repealed and declared unconstitutional.

The petition states that the amended section conflicts with Articles 27, 28, 31, and 32 of the Constitution.

The plea was filed in the High Court on Monday, and named the Secretary of the Law and Justice Division, the Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs ...