A 22-year-old Muslim woman resident of Bismillah Colony in Aishbagh area, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh was allegedly given triple talaq by the husband and then sent to a ‘healer’, who allegedly raped her on the pretext of halala. Both the husband and the healer named Anwar Khan, who was hired by the woman’s family as the ‘Nikai Abba’ during their marriage, have been arrested, said police.

As per some Muslim practices, at the time of marriage, someone from the bride’s side becomes ‘Nikai Abba’. Both are married only after the Nikai Abba’s signature. The Nikai Abba is a witness. Also, if there is a dispute between the husband and wife, he comes for a settlement.

CSP Aleem Khan said, “Both the accused were arrested and produced before a court, they have been sent to jail.”

In what transpired on November 23, a man allegedly gave triple talaq to his wife after a dispute broke out between them. Later when the man attempted to resolve the issue, the man Anwar Khan who was the ‘Nikai Abba’ during their marriage told the husband that the woman needs to perform halala before getting back with him, for which the man agreed.

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Anwar Khan then took the woman to a flat and raped her in the name of ‘halala’, the police official said. Even after all this, when the husband refused to take her back, the woman approached the city police and filed a complaint against the duo.

According to police, the 22-year-old woman resident of Ashoka Garden is a homemaker. She was married on April 29, 2019. Anwar Khan (51) used to visit the woman’s marital house regularly. The woman had alleged that Anwar Khan’s behaviour was objectionable towards her but her husband’s family had a deep reverence for Khan.

Khan used to visit the house during odd hours especially in the absence of her husband and in-laws. The woman had tried to complain to her husband about the healer’s ill intentions several times in the past, but the man allegedly never believed his wife.

SP Khan said that a case had been registered and action has been taken against her husband under the Muslim Women Protection Act. A case has also been registered against the healer,” said Khan.

Though triple talaq is now a punishable offence carrying a three-year jail term, rampant cases of domestic violence and physical assaults related to the evil practice of triple talaq are reported regularly.

Recently, it was reported that a woman from Rajasthan was allegedly raped by her father-in-law and his brother after she refused to accept the triple talaq given to her by her husband. The victim had also alleged that she was beaten up her husband’s brother.