Modi Cabinet Passed Triple Talaq Draft Bill, 3-yr jail term for offenders

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 will make instant triple talaq a cognizable offen

The Narendra Modi Cabinet has approved a bill making instant triple talaq illegal, months after the Supreme Court declared the practice of instant divorce "void, illegal and unconstitutional".

The Bill will make instant triple talaq a cognizable offence.

In April, a 5-judge bench of the top court said triple talaq isn't intrinsic to the Quran. The split verdict, which said 'talaq-e-biddat' was violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, was hailed as "historic" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Narendra Modi government's Bill will be tabled during the Winter Session of Parliament, which began today. That will most likely happen next week.

Here's what you need to know about the Bill, in five points.

1. COGNIZABLE OFFENCE: The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 will make instant triple talaq a cognizable offence.

2. NON-BAILABLE: It has been proposed that the practice be made a non-bailable offence.

3. JAIL TERM: There will be a jail term of three years.

4. STATES' VIEW: The draft law was sent to states on December 1. They were asked to reply by December 10. Jharkhand, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have supported the Bill's proposals.

5: JUSTIFICATION: The Modi government has justified its move to bring in a law, saying there were many reports of instant triple talaq even after the Supreme Court's verdict.