In a distressing incident reported from the Kotwali area of Tonk, a woman from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has lodged a complaint against her husband, Qaiser alias Furqan, for subjecting her to triple talaq, a controversial Islamic divorce practice where a husband can divorce his wife by pronouncing ‘talaq’ three times. The incident took place on Thursday, September 16, 2024, around 10 PM.
The victim, married to Qaiser on June 10, 2003, as per Muslim rites, revealed in her complaint that she had been enduring harassment and abuse from her husband and in-laws since shortly after her marriage. The alleged mistreatment included both mental and physical torture, exacerbated by the couple’s inability to have children over their 21-year marriage. On the night of the incident, a minor dispute escalated into physical violence, culminating with Qaiser pronouncing ‘talaq’ thrice, effectively divorcing her according to the practice.
According to the victim, following the pronouncement of talaq, she was forcibly evicted from her marital home. She further accused her in-laws of not only participating in the physical assault but also recording her in compromising situations during previous incidents of violence.
Police Inspector Bhanwar Lal Vaishnav confirmed that an FIR has been registered against Qaiser and his family members under relevant sections pertaining to domestic violence and the new anti-triple talaq law. A medical examination of the victim was conducted at Kotwali police station to document any physical injuries sustained. The police are actively investigating the case, with Inspector Vaishnav stating that legal action will be expedited under the new legislative framework.
This incident comes on the heels of another reported case of triple talaq in Tonk earlier this year on May 30, where a mother of six accused her husband of years of torture and dowry harassment. The recurrence of such incidents in the same region within a short span highlights the ongoing issue of triple talaq despite legal measures to curb the practice.
The practice of triple talaq has been a contentious issue in India, with significant legal reforms aimed at protecting women’s rights. The new law against instant triple talaq, passed in 2019, criminalises the practice, making it void unless confirmed through a judicial procedure, thus aiming to provide a legal recourse for affected women.
Advocates for women’s rights in India along with the current government, continue to call for stronger enforcement and awareness campaigns to prevent such occurrences and provide support for victims.
