The Supreme Court judgment outlawing instant talaq came as a godsend for Bibi Ladli, whose husband was all set to pronounce talaq talaq talaq at a police station in Bhagalpur district to divorce her on Tuesday.
When a cop at the Madhusudhanpur police station, around 7km west of the Bhagalpur district headquarters town and roughly 228km east of Patna, saw news of the judgment break on television, he rushed in and warned Ladli's husband Mohammad Imran that instant talaq was now illegal. The divorce was called off.
Imran, 26, a jewellery maker, had driven out Ladli, 22, after she delivered twin girls in a hospital on May 9.
"Since she gave birth to the two daughters through a caesarean operation, chances are very less that she can bear another child again. So, because of family pressure, Imran decided to leave his wife," said Shabana Daud, a local social activist who said she was mediating between the families for a while.
Shabana said she took Ladli to Imran's house in Kavirpur locality on Monday along with Ladli's parents and some policemen. Ladli, whose father is a tailor who lives in Pankha Toli, had earlier told the cops that her in-laws used to torture her.
"Imran's family members, who had earlier snatched the two newborns from the girl, started beating her and her mother in front of us and even with police present," Shabana said. "So we decided that it was better if they separated and that we would to go to the police station for the talaq and afterwards we would start legal proceedings against Imran and his family.
"Since we wanted to file a case against Imran and his family members for torturing Ladli, the police station was deemed the ideal place for the talaq," she added.
Imran, she said, was to utter talaq thrice in the presence of witnesses at 8.30am on Tuesday.
"But her husband and his folks arrived at the police station at around 12.30pm," Shabana said. "At around 1pm, when Imran was finally ready, a cop rushed in shouting that the proceedings must be stopped."
The policeman, who had been watching the news on TV at the police quarters just beside the police station, warned Imran of legal consequences if he went ahead with the instant talaq.
"Imran and his family decided not to go ahead with the divorce," Shabana said. "Imran also promised to take Ladli back. We happily went to Imran's house with Ladli. Ladli was weeping with joy after being reunited with her daughters."
Ladli was so overcome with emotion that she could barely speak.
"The Supreme Court's judgment was indeed a judgement from Allah. I am indebted to it for saving my family," she said in between sobs.
The prospect of legal action also seemed to have changed Imran's attitude. "I was on the wrong path but the court's verdict stopped me from committing a sin. I will try to keep my wife happy with me," he said.
Asked about the legal action against Imran for domestic violence, Shabana said since the matter had been settled amicably it would be given a quiet burial.
"All is well now and the girl was last night sent to her parents for 15 days with her daughters as she has not yet fully recovered from the operation," Shabana said. "Imran will go there to take her back after 15 days in front of people from the society."
