Triple Talaq verdict Live Updates:

The Supreme Court is expected to announce its verdict on the legality of the Islamic personal law practice of Triple Talaq today. The verdict would be announced by a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India JS Kehar. The apex court is also expected to announce whether the practice of Triple Talaq violates the fundamental human rights of gender equality and dignity of Muslim women.

The origin of the Triple Talaq case in the apex court is linked to a two-judge bench of the top court in an unrelated case in 2015, according to The Indian Express. The Supreme Court on October 16, 2015 ruled the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which was amended in 2005, could not apply retrospectively (Prakash and Ors versus Phulvati and Ors). In the second part of the judgement, the apex court had referred to injustices faced by Muslim women. This paved the way for a separate PIL on the matter, leading to notices to the Attorney General and the National Legal Services Authority.

Here are Live Updates of the judgment by Supreme Court on Triple Talaq:

9:50 am: I feel the judgement will be in my favour. Time has changed and a law will certainly be made: Saira Bano, Triple Talaq victim and petitioner

9:48 AM: In December last year, the Allahabad High Court termed the Islamic practice of divorcing a woman by uttering the word “talaq” thrice “unconstitutional”.

9:45 AM: WATCH- Triple Talaq verdict

9:43 AM: While hearing several pleas filed by Muslim women challenging the practice of triple talaq, the apex court observed that it would examine whether the issue is fundamental to religion or not.

9:40 AM: Supporting the stance of ending the practice of triple talaq, the Allahabad High Court had earlier asserted that the rights of any person, including Muslim women, cannot be violated in the name of ‘Personal Law’.

9:38 AM: Relentless debates on the validity and plausibility of this practice were instigated soon after one petitioner, Shayara Banu, challenged the Muslim Personal Law over instantaneous application of triple talaq (talaq-e-bidat), polygamy and nikah-halala.

9:35 AM: WATCH- Here is what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to say about Triple Talaq

9:30 AM: However, the AIMPLB counsel Kapil Sibal told the apex court that triple talaq is a matter that comes under the Muslim Personal Law Board and therefore, in his opinion, the top court should not interfere in it.

9:28 AM: Earlier in the hearing, the apex court refused to hear all the three cases of polygamy, nikah and halala at once, saying it will focus on one matter at a time. The Centre, earlier on May 11, told the apex court that it opposes the triple talaq practice and wants to fight for women equality and gender justice.

9:23 AM: During the hearing, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi had assured the apex court that the government would come out with a law to regulate marriage and divorce among Muslims if triple talaq is upheld as invalid.

9:20 AM: Rohatgi also conveyed to the apex court bench that triple talaq violates Muslim women’s right to equality within the community and also within the country.

9:17 AM: A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar had reserved its verdict on May 18 after a six-day marathon hearing.

9:15 AM: WATCH- Here is all about Triple Talaq verdict which is likely to be announced by SC today

9:10 AM: Speaking to ANI, member of AIMPLB and Muslim cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali said that whatever judgement the apex court pronounces it will be in the light of the Constitution of the country.

9:08 AM: “We have put forth our view in light of Quran and we are confident enough that whatever will be the judgement of the court, it will naturally be in the light of the Constitution of our country. Our Constitution has given every citizen a right to follow and propagate religion of one’s choice. So as far as law of triple talaq is concern, it is part of our Shariat and we think the court will not interfere in Muslim Personal law,” the Lucknow-base Muslim cleric said.

9:05 AM: Speaking to ANI, member of AIMPLB and Muslim cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali said that whatever judgement the apex court pronounces it will be in the light of the Constitution of the country.

9:03 AM:“We have put forth our view in light of Quran and we are confident enough that whatever will be the judgement of the court, it will naturally be in the light of the Constitution of our country. Our Constitution has given every citizen a right to follow and propagate religion of one’s choice. So as far as law of triple talaq is concern, it is part of our Shariat and we think the court will not interfere in Muslim Personal law,” the Lucknow-base Muslim cleric said.

9:00 AM: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) expressed confidence that the apex court would not interfere in Muslim Personal Law and would not ban the Islamic practice of divorce.