Instant triple talaq Bill: Cabinet approves inclusion of provision of bail

The Union Cabinet on August 9 approved the inclusion of provision of granting bail to men found guilty of giving instant triple talaq to their wives in the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill, sources in the government said.

Giving instant triple talaq will continue to be illegal and void and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband.

The Bill was cleared by Lok Sabha and is pending in the Rajya Sabha where the government lacks numbers.

Provision of bail had been one of the demands of the Opposition.

Under the amendments cleared on August 9, the magistrate would have powers to grant bail, the sources said.

The proposed law would only be applicable to instant triple talaq or ‘talaq-e-biddat’ and it would give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking “subsistence allowance” for herself and minor children.

A woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate, who will take a final call on the issue.