Cabinet adds provision of bail in triple talaq bill

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved changes in the triple talaq bill and added the provision of granting bail to men found guilty of giving instant talaq to their wives. However, giving instant triple talaq will continue to be illegal and void and will attract a jail term of three years for the husband.

The 'Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill' was cleared by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha where the government lacks numbers. Provision of bail was one of the demands of the opposition parties. Under the amendments cleared on Thursday, the magistrate will have powers to grant bail, the sources said.

Speaking to media, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Cabinet has approved amendments in the law relating to triple talaq. We've proposed three changes. If any husband gives triple talaq instantaneously and breaks marriage then FIR shall only become cognisable when it is filed by victim or blood relation or relation by marriage. It has been made compoundable if the wife and the husband desire to settle their differences then the magistrate can compound the offence on appropriate terms & conditions. A magistrate can grant bail after hearing the wife."

The proposed law would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or 'talaq-e-biddat' and it would give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children. A woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate who will take a final call on the issue.