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Supreme Court Of India
SABRA SHAMIM
Versus
MAQSOOD ANSARI
Decided on August 23, 2002
MUSLIM WOMEN - Maintenance Rights - The court held that the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 entitles a divorced wife to maintenance beyond the iddat period, contrary to the High Court's interpretation. The decision of Danial Latifi v. Union of India was cited to support this interpretation.
Fact of the Case:
The High Court set aside an order made by the Family Court, stating that the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 provides maintenance to a divorced wife only till the iddat period.
Finding of the Court:
The Supreme Court found the High Court's interpretation contrary to the decision in Danial Latifi v. Union of India and set aside the High Court's order, restoring the order made by the Family Court.
Issues: Interpretation of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 regarding maintenance rights of a divorced wife.
Ratio Decidendi: The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 entitles a divorced wife to maintenance beyond the iddat period, as per the decision in Danial Latifi v. Union of India.
Final Decision: The appeal was allowed, and the order made by the High Court was set aside, restoring the order made by the Family Court.
( 1 ) DELAY condoned.
( 2 ) THE High Court proceeded on a premise that the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 provides that a divorced wife will be entitled to maintenance till the iddat period only and not any further and on that basis set aside the order made by the Principal Judge, Family Court, Dhanbad in Misc. Case No. 40 of 1991 (arising out of MP Case No. 19 of 1982 ). This proposition of law on which the High Court proceeded is plainly contrary to the decision of this Court in Danial Latifi v. Union of India. Therefore, the order made by the High Court is set aside and the order made by the Family Court stands restored. The appeal is allowed accordingly.
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