President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, has approved the Triple Talaq ordinance, said media reports. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an ordinance on instant triple talaq, months after the government failed to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, which seeks to criminalise the controversial Islamic practice, in Rajya Sabha.

The ordinance reportedly makes triple talaq a criminal act. The Triple Talaq Bill has been stuck in the Upper House due to Opposition demands on making the offence bailable.

"The core component of this Ordinance is that an offence will be cognizable only when the FIR is filed by the victim wife or her close relations by blood or marriage," Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.

"Secondly, it's compoundable, it can be compromised only at the insistence of the wife upon appropriate terms and conditions as determined by the magistrate. Thirdly, a bail can be granted by the magistrate upon reasonable grounds but only after hearing the victim wife also," he added. Triple Talaq Ordinance Approved by Cabinet; Centre Appeals to Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee to Extend Support.

MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday said the ordinance passed by the Union Cabinet making triple talaq a criminal offence will do more injustice to Muslim women. Triple Talaq Ordinance Will Do More Injustice to Women, Says Asaduddin Owaisi.

Describing the ordinance as anti-women, he said it was also in violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. The Hyderabad MP said the Supreme Court, in its verdict on triple talaq, had stated that if a man pronounces triple talaq, the marriage does not get dissolved. "Then for what do you want to punish him?" he asked.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2018 10:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).