Triple talaq verdict today

A five-judge, multi-faith bench of the Supreme Court will on Tuesday decide the legality of triple talaq and rule whether the contentious practice violates the dignity and fundamental rights of Muslim women.

The verdict will come a little over two months after the constitutional bench heard the matter over a period of six days during the summer vacation starting on May 11.

The Centre has been pushing for a ban on the practice on grounds of gender equality and justice. A favourable order from the bench — comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar (Sikh), along with Justices Kurian Joseph (Christian), Rohinton Nariman (Parsi), UU Lalit (Hindu) and SA Nazeer (Muslim) — will win the ruling BJP support from Muslim women.

The issue came under scrutiny with reports emerging of men divorcing their wives via letters, Skype and even WhatsApp messages. Several women divorced by triple talaq petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the practice.

The all-men bench has heard arguments from various women's rights groups, the Centre and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), among others.