The Bombay High Court has declared that Muslim men have the right to have up to four wives. The court stated that Muslims can register multiple marriages according to their personal laws, which does not conflict with Maharashtra’s marriage legislation.
In February 2023, a Muslim man sought to register his third marriage to a woman from Algeria, but his application was rejected by the Thane Municipal Corporation. He subsequently approached the court for redress. The bench of Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Somashekhar Sundaresan noted during the hearing that there is no prohibition on Muslim men registering multiple marriages under Maharashtra law.
The court emphasized that Muslim religious provisions allow for multiple wives, provided that equal rights are ensured for each wife. The Thane Municipal Corporation has been directed to expedite the decision on the applicant’s third marriage registration.
This ruling represents a significant victory for the Muslim community, affirming their religious rights and removing legal barriers.
