TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Sep 19, 2018, 12:13 IST
HIGHLIGHTS
The government had failed to pass it through both houses of Parliament
The Supreme Court had in a verdict in August last year declared instant triple talaq illegal and unconstitutional
NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an
making
a punishable offence after the government failed to pass it through both houses of
.
The move is being viewed as a big win for the rights of Muslim women.
The bill to criminalise talaq-e-biddat was passed by the
in the winter session of Parliament but got stuck in the
with the opposition parties having reservations over criminal provisions in the draft law.
In view of the growing opposition to the legislation, the government in August approved three amendments to the 'Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill'. According to the new amendments, the proposed law will remain "non-bailable", and the accused can approach a magistrate even before trial to seek bail.
Under a non-bailable law, bail cannot be granted by police at the police station itself.
Another amendment makes it clear that the police would lodge FIR only if approached by the victim (wife), her blood relations or people who become her relatives by virtue of her marriage.
The third amendment makes the offence of instant triple talaq "compoundable", where a magistrate can use his powers to settle the dispute between a husband and his wife. Under a compoundable offence, both parties have the liberty of withdrawing the case.
The Supreme Court had in a verdict in August last year declared instant triple talaq illegal and unconstitutional.
No comments:
Post a Comment