Shah Bano Case 1985 & Muslim Women’s Rights in India

• 11 Nov 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

An upcoming Bollywood film inspired by the Shah Bano case, 1985, has renewed public attention on one of India's most debated legal judgments concerning Muslim women's rights, and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The case remains a milestone in balancing personal laws with constitutional principles. 

How Did the Shah Bano Verdict Shape the Legal Landscape for Muslim Women in India? 

• Case Background: In 1978, Shah Bano Begum, a 62-year-old Muslim woman, sought maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC (now Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023) after being divorced by her husband. This section ensures maintenance for dependents irrespective of religion. 
  • Husband contended that under Muslim personal law, his obligation ended after the iddat period (3 months after divorce), but the Madhya Pradesh High Court increased her maintenance, prompting him to appeal to the Supreme Court (SC). 
• Supreme Court Verdict (1985): A 5 judge SC constitution bench unanimously ruled in Shah Bano’s favour, declaring Section 125 CrPC a secular law applicable to all, including Muslim women.  
  • The Court held she was entitled to maintenance beyond the iddat period and lamented that Article 44 (UCC) remained a “dead letter.” SC criticized the non-implementation of Article 44, which calls for a Uniform Civil Code. 
  • It referenced the Quran to support continued maintenance post-divorce. 
• Backlash and Legislative Response (1986): Facing protests from conservative Muslim groups, the government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. 
  • This act diluted the SC’s ruling by limiting the husband’s responsibility to the iddat period, shifting long-term support to the woman’s relatives or Waqf Board. 
• Reaffirmation in Daniel Latifi Case (2001): In 2001, the SC upheld the 1986 Act after Danial Latifi (Shah Bano’s lawyer) challenged its validity in the Daniel Latifi Case, 2001.  
  • It ruled that husbands must make a one-time payment within the iddat period to cover a woman’s future needs, preserving the spirit of the Shah Bano verdict. 
• Mohd. Abdul Samad v. State of Telangana Case, 2024: The SC ruled that the 1986 Act does not override Section 125 CrPC, allowing divorced Muslim women to seek maintenance under either or both laws. 
• Significance of the Shah Bano Case 1985: It restored legal clarity, strengthened access to justice, ensured constitutional parity for Muslim women, and reinforced the secular character of Indian maintenance law.  
  • The case continues to influence India’s constitutional journey, highlighting tensions between faith vs. equality, law vs. politics, and religion vs. reform.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) 

• About: The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), outlined in Article 44 of the Constitution under the Directive Principles of State Policy, envisions a common set of civil laws for all citizens across India.  
  • Its implementation, however, is discretionary and not mandatory for the government. 
• Historical Context: During the British era, uniform criminal laws were enacted, but family laws were left untouched due to religious sensitivities.  
  • In the Constituent Assembly, Muslim members sought safeguards for personal laws, while K.M. Munshi, Alladi Krishnaswami, and B.R. Ambedkar supported the UCC to promote equality and national integration. 
• UCC in India: In 2018, the 21st Law Commission released a consultation paper on “Reforms of family law,” stating that the “formulation of a Uniform Civil Code is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.”  
  • Goa follows a UCC under the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867, while Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to implement its own Uniform Civil Code. 
• SC Verdicts Promoting UCC: 
  • Sarla Mudgal Case, 1995: This case addressed issues of religious conversion and polygamy, while also emphasizing the importance of a Uniform Civil Code. 
  • Lily Thomas Case, 2013: The SC ruled that a Hindu man cannot remarry after converting to Islam without first dissolving his existing marriage, addressing misuse of conversion to evade bigamy laws. 
  • Shayara Bano Case, 2017: The SC struck down triple talaq as unconstitutional, leading to the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, which criminalizes instant divorce (talaq-e-biddat). 
  • Jose Paulo Coutinho Case, 2019: The Court hailed Goa as a “shining example” and held that the Portuguese Civil Code, 1867, which applies in the state, also regulates succession and inheritance rights of Goan residents for properties situated outside Goa or elsewhere in India. 

Conclusion

The Shah Bano case and later laws expose India’s struggle between personal laws and constitutional equality. Despite political pushback, courts upheld women’s maintenance rights, underscoring ongoing tensions over secularism, gender justice, and the need for reform and dialogue on a Uniform Civil Code.

Drishti Mains Question:

“Judicial intervention can further constitutional morality without overriding religious freedoms.” Critically analyze.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What was the core legal issue in the Shah Bano case? 
The case centered on whether a divorced Muslim woman could claim maintenance beyond the iddat period under the secular Section 125 of the CrPC, or if Muslim Personal Law limited the husband's liability. 

2. What is the constitutional basis for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)? 
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, a Directive Principle of State Policy, enjoins the state to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens throughout the territory of India. 

3. How did the Danial Latifi (2001) ruling affect the 1986 Act? 
In Danial Latifi (2001) the Supreme Court upheld the Act but interpreted it to require a one-time “reasonable and fair provision” during iddat, effectively ensuring long-term maintenance—preserving the spirit of Shah Bano. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims 

Q. Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: (2012)

1. Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code 
2. Organising village Panchayats 
3. Promoting cottage industries in rural areas 
4. Securing for all the workers reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities 

Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy? 

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only  

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Ans: (b)

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Mains 

Q. Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizen a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy. (2015)