New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted additional time to Orissa to reply to the petition filed by Nazma Biwi challenging the fatwa issued by local clerics to her and her husband, after he pronounced triple talaq in a drunken state.

On April 21, the court directed the Government to provide police protection to the couple, who were forced to live separately following the fatwa that the divorce became effective after the husband had pronounced triple talaq.

This notwithstanding the fact that the husband, realising his mistake, decided to live with Nazma Biwi and their three children.

Earlier on her petition, the court in January issued notice to the parties concerned. On April 21, the Orissa Government, sought two weeks to file a reply to the petition.

When the matter came up before a vacation Bench comprising Justices B.P. Singh and R.V. Raveendran on Monday, counsel for the petitioner said the Government was yet to provide police protection to the couple, who were still living separately and were being threatened.

The Bench asked counsel to file a contempt petition if the order was not implemented.

However, counsel for the State said police protection had been provided to the couple. He would put the statement on record and also file a reply to the petition, and sought time for doing so.

The Bench adjourned the hearing till July.

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