SC dismisses plea challenging constitutional validity triple talaq ordinance

New Delhi, March 25: Dismissing a plea challenging the constitutional validity of an ordinance which makes the practice of instant 'triple talaq' a punishable offence, Supreme Court on Monday headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi said that it will not like to interfere.

 

The Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Ordinance was first notified on September 19 last year, hours after the Union Cabinet had cleared it. The ordinance making the practice of instant triple talaq a punishable offence was issued for the third time in less than a year on February 21.

Instant triple talaq, also known as talaq-e-biddat, is an instant divorce whereby a Muslim man can legally divorce his wife by pronouncing talaq three times in one go.

The use and status of triple talaq in India has been a subject of controversy and debate. Those questioning the practice have raised issues of justice, gender equality, human rights and secularism. The debate has involved the Government of India and the Supreme Court of India, and is connected to the debate about a uniform civil code (Article 44) in India.