New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is necessary to ensure equal rights for women across communities, The Times of India reported.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices R. Mahadevan and Joymala Bagchi made the observation while hearing a petition seeking equal inheritance rights for Muslim women. The court noted that a significant section of Muslim women does not enjoy equal inheritance rights under existing personal laws.
The bench also raised questions about the legal consequences of striking down inheritance provisions under Sharia law, asking what legal framework would then govern such matters.
During the hearing, the court highlighted the broader complexities of addressing inequalities in different communities, including tribal societies. It also referred to the goal of ensuring equality in personal laws, such as monogamous marriage, while asking whether the Supreme Court could invalidate all polygamous marriages across the country.
"Can these be struck down by SC. Equality goal of one man-one woman, that is monogamous marriage, has it been achieved? Can SC strike down all polygamous marriages in country?" TOI quoted the court.