Cabinet approves three amendments to the triple talaq bill

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved three amendments to the triple talaq bill, including adding a provision of granting bail to the men found guilty of giving instant triple talaq. However, senior government officials, who did not want to be named, said the amendments notwithstanding, giving instant triple talaq or 'talaq-e-biddat' will continue to be illegal and void, and will attract a jail term of three years. Also, instant triple talaq will continue to be a non-bailable offence, they added. The amendments will only allow the accused to approach a magistrate even before trial to seek bail. The magistrate would, however, ensure that bail is granted only after the husband agrees to grant compensation to the wife, as provided in the bill. The quantum of compensation will be decided by the magistrate, as per the bill. “The provision has been added to allow the magistrate to grant bail after hearing the wife,” said Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad during a press briefing. .