Triple Talaq verdict LIVE: SC invalidates Triple Talaq practice, calls it unconstitutional

Here's a map of the world indicating countries that have struck down the practice of Triple Talaq:

Judgment of the Hon'ble SC on Triple Talaq is historic. It grants equality to Muslim women and is a powerful measure for women empowerment.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 22, 2017

As the SC judgment is out, the Law Commission is expected to come out with its report on Uniform Civil Code(UCC).

UCC refers to a single law for every citizen of India for civil matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession and adoption. Once enacted, the code will dissolve all personal laws based on religions like Hindu Civil Code which includes Hindu Marriage, Hindu Succession, Hindu Minority & Guardianship, Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Acts passed in 1955-56, Muslim Personal Law and Indian Christian Marriage Act (1872). The code ispart of the election manifesto of BJP.

Major stakeholders in the case:

Petitioners: Muslim Women's Quest for Equality, KhuranSunnathSociety, Shayara Bano, Aafreen Rehman, Gulshan Praveen, Ishrat Jahan, Atiya Sabri

Key Lawyers for petitioners:Former AGI MukulRohtagi, Balaji Srinivasan, Mukesh Jain


Respondents: All India Muslim Personal Law Board, JamiatUlma Hind, Union of India

Key lawyers for Respondents: Mridula Ray Bharadwaj, Ejaz Maqbool, Wajeeh Shafiq

5-judge Bench: CJI J S Khehar, Justice Kurian Joseph, Justice Rohintan Fali Nariman, Justice U U Lalit, Justice Abdul Nazeer

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AmicusCuriae: Salman Khurshid

Amicus Curiaein the case Salman Khurshid says that what we had hoped to happen has now happened. It was a good decision.

What three judges who ruled against Triple Talaq said:

Justice Kurian Joseph: There are four sources of Islamic law. Only the Quran is the first source of law, therefore sources other than the Quran are a supplement to what is in it. Therefore, there can be nothing more than what is written in the Quran... Quran attributes permanence to matrimony. Essential steps required before talaq. Triple talaq against tenets of Quran, therefore, violates Shariat.

Justice UU Lalit: Endorsed the view of Justice Kurien.

Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman: It is a disapproved form of divorce. Even the Hanafi law says triple talaq is sinful. 1937 Act recognizes triple talaq and therefore does not violate Article 13... Triple Talaq won’t fall within confines of Article 13(1)... It is not possible for the court to fold his hands when petitioners come to court. Court has to declare whether practice is legal or not (Via: News18)

Subramanian Swamy to News18: It’s a great day and a day of victory for the brave and courageous Muslim women and is triumph over male chauvinism. It’s a huge step towards women empowerment… The next step of the government is to bring Uniform Civil Code

With the judgement, India has now joined the following countries in declaring the practice un-Islamic.

• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka
• Turkey
• Cyprus
• Syria
• Jordan
• Egypt
• Tunisia
• Algeria
• Iran
• Iraq
• Malaysia
• Brunei
• UAE
• Indonesia
• Iraq

Highlights so far:

*The Supreme Court in a 3:2 majority verdict invalidated Triple Talaq.

*Justice Nariman, Justice Lalit and Justice Kuriendeclared the practice unconstitutional and un-Islamic. CJI Khehar and Justice Naziropposed the majority view.

*The court has asked the government to create a law on Triple Talaq in next six months.

What is Triple Talaq?

According to Muslim practices, there are three forms of 'talaq' (divorce) - Ahsan, Hasan and Talaq-e-Biddat (instant talaq). While Ahsan and Hasan are revocable, divorcing through the Biddat form is irrevocable.A Muslim man could divorce his wife by pronouncing the word "talaq" three times orally, in a written format or delivered electronically by a phone call, SMS or via social media. The divorce was considered legal and the husband need not cite any reason for the divorce while pronouncing it.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar had in May reserved its verdict following a six-day hearing.

The court declared Triple Talaqas un-Islamic and unconstitutional.

BREAKING: Supreme Court bans Triple Talaq. It upholds Women's Rights in a 3:2 majority.

Welcome to the live coverage of the Supreme Court's verdict on Triple Talaq.