Cabinet clears ordinance to make instant triple talaq a criminal offence

The amended bill provides for additional safeguards, including a provision for bail to an accused before the start of the trial

stock photo on triple talaq law in India - Triple talaq which is banned by supreme court of India. Concept showing gavel, indian flag and text over wooden blocks

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared an ordinance to make instant triple talaq a criminal offence.

However, the amended triple talaq bill provides for additional safeguards, including a provision for bail to an accused before the start of the trial.

While the proposed law will remain “non-bailable” - the police cannot grant bail at the police station - the accused can approach a magistrate for bail even before trial.

The Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill makes instant triple talaq illegal and imposes a jail term of up to three years.

The government adopted the ordinance route after the Opposition failed to come to an agreement with the government in the last two of the monsoon session of Parliament that concluded on August 12.

Congress's reaction

In its first reaction, the Congress said the amended bill doesn't address their concerns about how a triple talaq victim will be compensated if the husband is jailed. "We had suggested the provision of attaching the property of a husband but the Modi government is not interested in giving justice to Muslim women,"said Congress leader Randeep Surjewala.