Patna court sentences man to two years in jail in district's first triple talaq conviction
Additional District and Sessions Judge Rajiv Ranjan Sahay sentenced Naushad Ahmed under the 2019 law protecting women's rights.
First triple talaq conviction in Patna
A Patna court has handed down a two-year sentence of rigorous imprisonment to a man for pronouncing instant triple talaq on his wife, marking the district's first conviction under the anti-triple talaq law.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Rajiv Ranjan Sahay convicted Naushad Ahmed, a resident of Simri village, under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019. The court also convicted him under Sections 323 and 341 of the Indian Penal Code, which cover voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint.
Judge Sahay imposed a fine of ₹6,500 on Ahmed, with an additional month and 22 days of imprisonment if he fails to pay. Ahmed was acquitted of a separate charge of attempting to throw acid on his wife.
Details of the case
The case stems from an FIR filed at the Phulwari Sharif police station in September 2022. The complainant, who had been married to Ahmed for nearly 21 years and has three children with him, stated that her husband pronounced instant triple talaq on 5 September 2022.
She told police that Ahmed had assaulted her and their children. Following an investigation, police filed a chargesheet on 31 July 2023.
| Defendant | Charges convicted | Sentence | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naushad Ahmed | Anti-Triple Talaq Act 2019, IPC 323, IPC 341 | 2 years' rigorous imprisonment | ₹6,500 |
Defence plan to appeal
Defence lawyer Shekhar Kumar said his client will challenge the verdict in the High Court. Speaking after the ruling, Kumar noted that Ahmed is currently out on bail and awaiting a copy of the court order.
Kumar pointed out that the prosecution failed to prove the acid attack charge. He said the defence would question the conviction on the remaining charges once they receive the judgment text.
Impact of the 2019 law
The judgment reflects the operational success of the law passed by Parliament to bring security and legal recourse to women affected by instant divorce. The Lok Sabha passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill on 25 July 2019, followed by the Rajya Sabha on 30 July 2019, giving the law retrospective effect from 19 September 2018.
The legislation renders instant triple talaq illegal and void, setting penalties of up to three years' imprisonment for violations.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence duration | 2 years' rigorous imprisonment | Patna district court judgment |
| Fine imposed | ₹6,500 | Patna district court judgment |
| Default imprisonment | 1 month and 22 days | Patna district court judgment |
| Marriage duration | Nearly 21 years | Police FIR |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Naushad Ahmed | Convicted husband sentenced to two years in prison |
