After numerous instances of talaq via email, Whatsapp, here comes another shocker of an incident wherein a man divorced his wife through an advertisement published in a newspaper.

A Hyderabad man, who works at a bank in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, announced 'talaq' with his wife in an advertisement published in an Urdu daily on March 4.

WHAT'S THE CASE Hyderabad resident Mustaquddin married the woman (name withheld) in 2015. The couple has a 10-month-old baby. Mustaquddin, who works for Alawwal Bank in Riyadh, took his wife to Saudi six months after their marriage. The couple returned to Hyderabad on February 2. On February 24, Mustaquddin took his wife and baby girl to his in-law's house. He then left for Riyadh without informing his wife. The woman tried contacting Mustaquddin but he didn't respond. She then called her father-in-law who informed that Mustaquddin has already left for Saudi. The woman received the shock of her life when she came across an advertisement in an Urdu daily. Mustaquddin announced his divorce through the advertisement. "He (Mustaquddin) has misused the Shariyat by giving talaq through newspaper. If he was unhappy with me, he should have spoken with me once. He married me infront of all and should have divorced infront of all relatives," the woman said.

TALAQ ON WHATSAPP

A New York based Indian divorced his wife in Hyderabad via Whatsapp following family disputes. The incident came to light on March 5.

Hussain Quraishi sent her a Whatsapp message saying 'talaq' three times. His wife Mahreen said she has been continuously harassed by her in laws to leave the house.

Hyderabad's Moghalpura police registered a case and arrested Hafeez and Atiya - the in-laws - and remanded them to jail.

Mahreen Noor got married to Usman Qureshi, a senior analyst at Seven Heaven Medical Agency in 2015. Her sister-in-law, Heena Fatima, who is married to Usman's elder brother, Syed Fayazuddin, went through a divorce in a similar manner six months ago.

'TRIPLE TALAQ IS CRUEL'

Observing that the judicial conscience is 'disturbed', the Allahabad High Court in December, 2016, held that triple talaq is 'cruel' and raised a question whether the Muslim Personal law could be amended to alleviate the sufferings of Muslim women.

Coming down heavily on the practice, the court has held that this form of 'instant divorce' is 'most demeaning' which 'impedes and drags India from becoming a nation'.

TRIPLE TALAQ ISSUE IN SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear pleas challenging the validity of triple talaq, 'nikah halala' and polygamy practices among Muslims on May 11.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud said the matter will be heard by a Constitution bench during the summer vacation.

On March 27, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) told the Supreme Court that the pleas challenging such practices among Muslims were not maintainable as the issues fell outside the realm of judiciary.

ALSO READ:

Triple talaq: How it affects lives of India's 90 million Muslim women

Allahabad High Court: From Indira verdict to triple talaq ruling, 5 landmark judgments

Hyderabad: 2 Muslim women divorced over WhatsApp by US-based husbands