The Supreme Court said Tuesday that a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to recover the cash and gold ornaments received by her husband from her father at the time of the wedding under The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.

Setting aside the Calcutta High Court’s January 31, 2024, order, a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N K Singh directed S K Salahuddin to pay the claimed amount of Rs 17.67 lakh to his former wife, Rousanara Begum.

While allowing the woman’s claim, the apex court said that the “scope and object” of The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act is “concerned with securing the dignity and financial protection of a Muslim woman post her divorce, which aligns with the rights of women under Article 21 of the Constitution”.

“The construction

See Full Page