3-YEAR JAIL FOR INSTANT TRIPLE TALAQ

> The bill, which provides for up to three years’ imprisonment for invoking instant divorce by uttering talaq thrice in a single sitting, was passed with 245 in favour and 11 against.

> The bill also proposes a fine for the husband and makes the woman entitled to maintenance. > The Muslim Women (Protection of rights on Marriage) bill, 2018 replaces an ordinance issued in September after the government failed to get the bill passed in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year.

> A similar bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in December last year but could not clear the rajya Sabha where the opposition managed to stall it.

>The government introduced three amendments to stop the misuse of the proposed law. > As per the changes, only a woman, or her close relative, can file a police case against her husband.

> A second amendment allows a woman to drop the case if husband and wife reach a compromise.

> Under the third amendment, the magistrate can decide on releasing the husband on bail only after hearing the wife. > Opposition members, especially the women MPs belonging to the Congress, NCP and other parties, said that the government had brought the bill with political motives and there was no need to criminalise divorce which is a civil wrong and a social issue. >The bill will now go to the rajya Sabha where the government may still find it difficult to push it through.