In a first, a local court in Bihar's Patna conan accused has been convicted and sentenced under the anti-triple talaq law. Additional District and Sessions Judge-24, Rajiv Ranjan Sahai sentenced accused Naushad Ahmed to two years of rigorous imprisonment.
Ahmed is a resident of Simri village in the Bihta police station area. The court found him guilty under sections 323 and 341 of the Indian Penal Code, in addition to section 4 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.
He was also directed to pay the complainant Rs 6,500, failing which, would draw an additional one month and 22 days jail term.
The verdict marks the first conviction under the anti-triple talaq law in Bihar. The complainant, Razia Sultan, alias Gudiya, was married to Naushad 25 years ago on November 9, 2001.
The couple have three children. The FIR based on her complaint was filed at Phulwari Sharif police station in 2022.
Razia alleged assault on her and her children. She had also alleged an attempted acid attack. On September 5, 2022, Naushad have her instant triple talaq, which prompted her to take legal recourse.
After investigating the case, the police filed a charge sheet on July 31, 2023. During the trial, after considering the statements of prosecution witnesses and the available evidence, the court convicted Naushad under the anti-triple talaq law and sections related to assault and wrongful restraint.
However, the court found insufficient evidence on part of Razia to support the charge of attempted acid attack. The accused was acquitted on the charge.
Naushad's lawyer Shekhar Kumar said that there was no evidence against his client on the charge of acid attack and hence he was acquitted of that charge.He also said that the decision will be challenged in the high court following its detailed legal study.