N.N.Singh, J.

1. By order dated 25.8.1995 passed in criminal revision No. 199 of 1994 (R), this matter was referred by the learned Single Judge to a larger Bench, on the ground that two Single Bench Judgments of this Court reported in 1987 PLJR 65-Md. Yunus V/s. Bibi Phenkani alias Tasrun Nisa and Anr. and Anr. reported in 1989 (2) BLJ 671-Md. Arif V/s. Bibi Jamila Khaton were of conflicting view regarding determination and interpretation of Sec. 3(1)(a) and Sec. 4 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights and Divorce) Act, 1986 (hereinafter to be referred to as the Act) and regarding period of maintenance to a divorced Muslim Women. As the same question was involved in Criminal Revision No. 73 of 1994 (R), by order dated 18.10.1995, another learned Single Judge ordered that it would be heard alongwith Criminal Revision No. 199 of 1994 (R).

2. Criminal Revision No. 199 of 1994 (R) was filed against the order dated 31.8.1994 passed by Sri U.N. Mishra, Judicial Magistrate, First Class. Ranchi in Misc. Case No. 57 of 1985 by which he ordered petitioner husband to pay maintenance allowance under Sec. 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure from 11.11.1985 to 10.7.1988 (date of di