Act Number: 25

Act Name: The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986

Year: 1986

Enactment Date: 1986-05-19

Long Title: An Act to protect the rights of Muslim women who have been divorced by, or have obtained divorce from, their husbands and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Ministry: Ministry of Law and Justice

Department: Legislative Department

Section 2: Definitions.
    In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
         (a) "divorced woman" means a Muslim woman who was married according to Muslim law, and has been divorced by, or has obtained divorce from, her husband in accordance with Muslim law;
         (b) "iddat period" means, in the case of a divorced woman,
             (i) three menstrual courses after the date of divorce, if she is subject to menstruation;
             (ii) three lunar months after her divorce, if she is not subject to menstruation; and
             (iii) if she is enceinte at the time of her divorce, the period between the divorce and the delivery of her child or the termination of her pregnancy, whichever is earlier;
         (c) "Magistrate" means a Magistrate of the First class exercising jurisdiction under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) in the area where the divorced woman resides;
         (d) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
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