The Union Cabinet on Thursday added a bail provision to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, which seeks to make the practice of instant triple talaq a criminal offence, ANI reported. Magistrates can now grant bail to the accused, according to the amendment approved by the Cabinet.
The inclusion of this provision was one of the demands made by Opposition parties, PTI reported.
The bill criminalises the practice of divorcing by uttering the word “talaq” thrice in any form – spoken, in writing, or over electronic communication. It also proposes a three-year jail term for men who violate the law. The Lok Sabha cleared the bill in December but it is pending in the Rajya Sabha.
Last month, the president of the women’s wing of the Congress said the party will support the bill if the Centre adds an alimony clause. Susmita Dev, the chief of the All India Mahila Congress, said the bill’s main is to ensure that Muslim women get justice, and argued that jailing men could worsen the situation.
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