Supreme Court Affirms Maintenance Rights for Divorced Muslim Women

The Supreme Court has ruled that divorced Muslim women are entitled to maintenance claims under Section 125 of the CrPC. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma praised the decision for promoting gender equality. The ruling emphasizes financial support and protection for all women, irrespective of their religion.

In a landmark ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court declared that divorced Muslim women are eligible to claim maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, from their former husbands. The judgment was praised by National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma, who called it a significant step towards gender equality and justice for all women, regardless of their religion.

"I wholeheartedly welcome the Supreme Court's landmark ruling that affirms the right of Muslim women to seek maintenance under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). This decision is a significant step towards ensuring gender equality and justice for all women, regardless of their religion," Sharma said. She emphasized that no woman should be left without support and protection under the law and reiterated the NCW's commitment to advocating for women's rights in India.

A bench comprising justices BV Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih stated that Section 125 CrPC, which grants wives the legal right to maintenance, applies universally to all women, including divorced Muslim females. The court clarified that the 1986 Act and the 2019 Act provide additional remedies for Muslim women, reinforcing that these laws do not derogate but rather supplement Section 125 CrPC.