New Delhi, Dec 22: A bill on triple talaq has been listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha today. The ‘Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill’ makes giving instant triple talaq “illegal and void” and provides for a jail term of three years for the husband. Though the bill has been listed in Lok Sabha’s agenda papers for today, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the bill would come up for introduction next week.
The ‘Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill’ proposes a three-year jail term for a Muslim man who divorces his wife through talaq-e-biddat (instant triple talaq). The husband could also be fined and the quantum of fine would be decided by the magistrate hearing the case. The woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate who will take a final call on the issue.
Under the draft law, instant triple talaq in any form — spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp — would be bad or illegal and void. The Cabinet on December 15 cleared the bill. The government on Wednesday informed Lok Sabha that Muslim organisations were not consulted to frame a draft bill to criminalise the practice of instant triple talaq.
