Govt likely to table women-friendly marriage laws bill in Parliament

The government has reportedly initiated a move to introduce a bill during the Winter Session of Parliament to make marriage laws more women friendly, including a proposal to allow both parties to file for divorce on grounds of an irretrievable breakdown of marriage.

The Law Ministry has circulated a draft Cabinet note on Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill for inter-ministerial consultations.

According to reports, after receiving the feedback, Law and Justice Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda will take the proposal to the Union Cabinet for a final nod.

According to the draft, marriage laws will now become more women friendly with a slew of measures being proposed that includes providing for sufficient compensation for the wife and children from the husband's immovable property in case of a divorce.

Seeking to put an end to prolonged legal battles in divorce cases, the ministry has proposed that courts will be free to exercise discretion in granting divorce after three years if one of the

partners does not move a second joint application for divorce with mutual consent.