Muslim man can marry 4 times till the law doesn’t change: SC

THE BENCH ALSO ISSUED DIRECTIONS TO THE WEST BENGAL POLICE TO PRODUCE THE PETITIONER’S CHILDREN.

The Supreme Court on Friday said a Muslim man could marry four times until the law permitting him is not struck down.

“He can marry if the law allows him,” a bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur told the lawyer of a Kolkata-based woman who approached the top court challenging the constitutionality of “triple talaq”.

“You have challenged the constitutionality of ‘triple talaq’, we have seen it. But until it is determined, he (husand) is entitled to have four wives. Even without talaq, he can marry again,” the bench said, when advocate VK Biju, appearing for the petitioner, complained his client’s husband had re-married after pronouncing triple talaq to the first wife over phone from Dubai.

The bench also issued directions to the West Bengal police to produce the petitioner’s children. Biju said the husband took away the four kids after deserting the petitioner. The court asked him to move the state high court for relief.

The Supreme Court is hearing other petitions seeking similar relief.

It has issued notice to the government, which is yet to file an official response to the challenge. National Commission for Women is also a party in the case.