In the first of its own First Information Report (FIR), the Uttarakhand police cited provisions of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the alleged case of nikah halala along with dowry, Muslim marriage and other offenses in a complaint filed by a woman against her husband and mother-in-law.
Nikah halala is a controversial practice in some interpretations of Muslim personal law involving requirements for remarriage after divorce. This has remained politically and legally disputed in India.
The case stems from FIR No. 20 of 2026 registered at Bhagwanpur police station on April 4 and final report submitted on May 14.
According to the prosecution, Shabana had approached the police with a written complaint against her husband and several members of his family alleging dowry harassment, cruelty and offenses related to Muslim marriage laws. The FIR, The Hindu reports, was initially registered under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, Sections 3 and 4 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act and Sections 115(2) and 85 of the BNS.
The case subsequently gained wider attention as investigators also looked into allegations of nikah halala, as stated in the complaint, which also alleged that she was subjected to coercive marriage practices and implicated multiple members of the family network.
During the investigation, the police said that evidence had emerged to support the addition of Section 32(1)(ii) and Section 32(1)(iii) of the provisions of the Uttarakhand Civil Code. Investigators recorded the statements of the complainant, witnesses and other material gathered during the investigation before adding the new sections.
The prosecution says that the investigation led to the inclusion of provisions related to the UCC and during the course of the investigation, another accused was added to the case. Notices were issued to the accused in accordance with the provisions of the BNSS.
After more than a month of investigation, the police named nine accused in the indictment.
A senior official involved in the planning and implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand said the case is likely to gain significance as one of the first cases where the provisions of the UCC have been invoked in connection with allegations related to nikah halala.
“The proceedings may indicate how courts interpret the scope and applicability of the new legal framework in disputes that intersect personal law and matrimonial custom,” he said.
Published – 15 May 2026 02:44 IST
