'Triple Talaq to be a punishable offence,' BJP-led PM Modi approves ordinance to ban it

'Triple Talaq to be a punishable offence,' BJP-led Prime Minister Narendra Modi approves an ordinance to ban it. Union Cabinet on Wednesday has approved an ordinance on Triple Talaq bill, making Triple Talaq a criminal act, reported news agency ANI. However, the government failed to pass the bill through both houses of the Parliament.

Cabinet has today approved an ordinance on Triple Talaq, said Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The bill to criminalise Triple Talaq, Talaq-e-biddat was passed by the Lok Sabha in the winter session of the parliament but it failed to pass the Rajya Sabha test as the opposition parties argued that it was drafted "shoddily" and must be sent to a Select Committee for close scrutiny.

In August, the government approved three amendments to the 'Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill'. According to the new amendments, the proposed law will remain "non-bailable", and the accused can approach a magistrate even before trial to seek bail. The police at the police itself can grant bail under the non-bailable law.

Under another amendment, it makes it clear that the police would file FIR only if victim (wife) approach, her blood relations or relatives.

The third amendment makes the offence of instant triple talaq "compoundable", under which a magistrate can use his powers to settle the dispute between a husband-wife. Under a compoundable offence, both parties have the liberty of withdrawing the case.

Also read: Hyderabad: 62-year-old Omani husband gives triple talaq to 29-year-old wife on WhatsApp