Rights of Muslim Women Under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 was enacted to protect Muslim women from instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat) and ensure their rights after divorce. Key Rights of Muslim Women Under This Law 1. Instant Triple Talaq Declared Illegal - The Act prohibits and criminalizes the practice of instant triple talaq (verbal, written, or electronic). - Any pronouncement of talaq by a Muslim husband in this manner is void and illegal. 2. Right to Legal Protection - A Muslim woman can file a police complaint against her husband if he attempts to divorce her through instant triple talaq. 3. Husband’s Punishment for Triple Talaq - The husband faces up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine for violating the law. - The offense is cognizable, meaning the police can arrest him without a warrant. 4. Right to Maintenance (Mehr and Nafaqa) - A divorced Muslim woman has the right to claim subsistence allowance (nafaqa) from her husband for herself and her dependent children. - The amount is decided by the Magistrate based on the woman’s financial needs. 5. Right to Custody of Children - The woman has the right to seek custody of her minor children after divorce. - The final decision is taken by the Magistrate based on the child's welfare. 6. Right to Oppose Husband’s Bail - Since the offense is compoundable, a Muslim woman has the right to oppose or agree to her husband’s bail request in court. - The Magistrate grants bail only after hearing the wife’s statement. Limitations of the Act - The law only addresses instant triple talaq, not other forms of talaq. - It does not clarify post-divorce maintenance duration, which is still subject to Muslim Personal Law.