India's Supreme Court Interprets Muslim Marriage Law

The Supreme Court of India this month found itself interpreting Muslim religious law in a case awarding a Muslim woman maintenance from her husband. Under Muslim law, a man may not marry his wife's sister during his wife's lifetime. In Patel v. Begum & Anr, (India Sup. Ct., March 14, 2008), the court held a marriage in violation of this ban is only voidable (or irregular) instead of void. The court said: "Consequently, under the Hanafi law as far as Muslims in India are concerned, an irregular marriage continues to subsist till terminated in accordance with law and the wife and the children of such marriage would be entitled to maintenance under the provisions of Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure." IANS today reports on the court's decision, calling it "a ruling of profound socio-religious significance."