Daijiworld Media Network
Kasargod, March 1: A 21-year-old woman from Kasargod, Kerala, was left stunned when her husband, Abdul Razzaq, sent a "talaq, talaq, talaq" message on WhatsApp to her father, effectively declaring their marriage over.
The message, which was received on February 21, has raised serious concerns about the misuse of the controversial practice of triple talaq, despite it being declared void by the Indian Supreme Court.
Razzaq, who works in the UAE, had been married to the woman since August 2022, when she was just 18 years old.
Representational image
The practice of triple talaq, which allows a Muslim man to divorce his wife by repeating the word "talaq" three times, was banned by the Supreme Court in 2017. In 2019, the Indian Parliament passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, making the practice a criminal offence.
According to the woman, Razzaq had frequently demanded money from her, and on one occasion, took her to the UAE. "He often demanded money, and I am shocked by what he has done. I think he has the mentality to doubt me. I want justice, and we will file a case," she said, visibly distressed by the ordeal.
The woman’s father, who has since approached the police, claimed that the money was sent to Razzaq so he would take his daughter to the UAE. "The money was sent to Razzaq, and I have documents to prove it," he said. "After receiving the money, he sent the triple talaq message. There is a proper procedure for talaq, which involves the role of elders and religious figures. This is not the right way."
To raise the funds, the woman's family sold her gold ornaments, a decision they now regret. She was scheduled to travel to the UAE on February 24, but the triple talaq message arrived just three days earlier, on February 21, effectively ending the marriage.
The woman’s family has now filed a complaint with the local police, accusing Razzaq of cheating and misconduct. The case is currently under investigation, with authorities looking into the circumstances surrounding the WhatsApp message and the money transactions.