Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 4 : A case has been registered against a man based in the United Kingdom and his parents for allegedly harassing his wife over dowry demands and divorcing her via triple talaq during a video call. The victim, a Seawoods resident, filed the complaint with the NRI Sagar Police, leading to charges under the Muslim Women (Protection of Marriage Rights) Bill and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The victim, who married Aaqib Bhatiwala in 2022 according to Muslim customs, initially had a peaceful relationship. However, after moving in with her in-laws in Wadala, the harassment began. The situation worsened when she traveled to the UK with her husband and in-laws, where the abuse reportedly continued.
After a domestic dispute, her husband allegedly confiscated her jewelry and sent her back to India, severing communication. Later, during a video call, she was divorced via triple talaq. Despite returning to the UK, she claims she was denied entry to her husband’s home.
The police have initiated an investigation based on her complaint. Triple talaq, which allows a husband to divorce his wife by pronouncing ‘talaq’ three times, was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in August 2017. In 2019, Parliament passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, which made the practice of triple talaq a criminal offense, punishable by up to three years in prison.