Supreme Court seeks Narendra Modi government’s views on triple talaq

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday sought the central government’s views on a petition filed by a Muslim woman challenging the practice of divorcing women by uttering the word ‘talaq’ thrice and remarrying without annulling the existing marriage.

A bench comprising justices Anil R Dave and Adarsh Kumar Goel issued notices to the ministries of law, minority affairs, and women and child development, seeking their views on the matter.

The bench had earlier taken it upon itself to rid Muslim personal law of all gender imbalances. It is continuing with its attempts in the face of opposition from Muslim cultural groups. The notices on Monday came on a petition filed by Shayara Bano from Uttarakhand who was divorced by her husband by uttering the word talaq three times.

In her petition, filed by lawyers Arunana Mukhejee and Balaji Srinivsan, and argued by senior advocate Amit Chadha, she said that she was subjected to cruelty by her husband and in-laws for dowry and then abandoned with two children with her father, a government employee with meagre income.