SC verdict today on ‘triple talaq’

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 21

The Supreme Court will on Tuesday pronounce its verdict on the validity of the practice of triple talaq among Muslims, which has been challenged on the ground that it violated Muslim women’s right to equality, right to non-discrimination and right to live with human dignity.

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A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Khehar, which had on May 18 reserved its verdict on the contentious issue after six days of marathon arguments for and against the practice of triple talaq, is likely to pronounce the verdict at 10.30 am.

Other Judges on the Bench are Justices Kurian Joseph, Rohinton Nariman, UU Lalit and S Abdul Nazeer.

The Centre has supported the petitioners contending that fundamental right to equality of Muslim women must take precedence over personal laws as right to religion was an inferior right under the Constitution. 

Arguing for the Centre, then Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had, however, sought to allay the fears of the Muslim community by saying that it was a gender issue and not a majority versus minority issue.

The All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board had said in the court, “We are adopting the submissions of the Attorney General and senior counsel Indira Jaising.”