Know all about the Triple Talaq Bill that criminalises instant divorce

A bill making triple talaq or instant divorce a criminal offence for Muslim men passed in Lok Sabha on Thursday with voice vote.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill will ensure gender equality and protect the dignity of Muslim women, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The practice of Triple Talaq is very common in Muslims where a husband can give instant divorce to his wife by saying "talaq" (divorce) three times in any form - spoken, written or electronic.

In August, The Supreme Court had declared “Triple Talaq” unconstitutional and directed the government to enact a law on the issue.

Also Read | Lok Sabha passes Triple Talaq Bill: Here's timeline of events

Here is all you need to know about the “Triple Talaq” bill

# The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill makes "any pronouncement of Talaq" by a person in any form – written, spoken or electronic – void and illegal.

# If any Muslim man gives divorce to his wife by pronouncing Talaq (divorce) three time, he shall be sentenced to jail up to three years and a fine shall also be imposed uopon him.

# The proposed law will make “Triple Talaq” a cognisable offence and a woman will not need to approach court. The police can straightaway arrest the man.

# The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill makes “Triple Talaq” a non-bailable offence and only court can release the man on bail.

# Under the proposed law, women who are divorced will be entitled to the custody of her children as well as subsistence allowance from husband. The amount of allowance will be decided by the magistrate keeping in mind the income of husband.