Lok Sabha Question No. 2281 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: Legal Aid to Victims of Triple Talaq
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2281 ANSWERED ON 15.12.2023

## LEGAL AID TO VICTIMS OF TRIPLE TALAQ

## 2281.  DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details on the trend in the number of triple talaq cases during the past 20 years;
- (b)  whether there has been an increase or decrease in these cases, if so, the details thereof along with the reasons attributed to any observed changes in this regard;
- (c)  whether the Government has taken any steps to provide support services and legal aid to the victims of triple talaq;
- (d)  if  so,  the  number  of  individuals  who  have  utilized  these  services  during  the  said period; and
- (e)  the measures being taken to improve their accessibility and effectiveness?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a) and  (b)  National  Crime  Records  Bureau  (NCRB)  collects  and  publishes  Statistics  on Crime  in  India.  NCRB  has  published  Crime  in  India  report  for  the  year  2022  on 01.12.2023 which is available on their website. No separate data regarding the triple talaq cases has been published by NCRB.
- (c) and  (d)  Under  Section  12  of  the  Legal  Services  Authorities  Act,  1987,  all  women including victims of triple talaq are entitled to get free legal services. No  separate  data  regarding  legal  aid  to  the  victims  of  Triple  Talaq  is  maintained.

However, details  of  women  benefitted  through  legal  services  during  last  five  financial years viz. 2019-20 to 2023-24 (upto October, 2023) are as under:

| 2019-20   | 2020-21   | 2021-22   | 2022-23   | 2023-24 (upto October, 23   |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------------------------|
| 2,69,787  | 95,654    | 5,41,208  | 2,45,587  | 1,57,725                    |

In addition, Ministry of Women and Child Development implements the umbrella Scheme  of  'Mission  Shakti'  under  which  there  is  a  component  of  One  Stop  Centers (OSC's). The OSC's provide integrated service under one roof such as temporary shelter, medical aid, legal aid and counselling, psycho-social counselling and police facilitation to the distressed and needy women including women victims of Triple Talaq. As on date, 753 OSC's are functional in the country.

- (e)   The Legal Services Authorities have taken the following steps to improve the access to free legal services:
- (i)     NALSA has created a web portal to file an application for getting legal assistance wherein  application  can  be  filed  in  ten  different  languages  i.e.  English,  Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Bengali, Odia and Kannada.
- (ii)  NALSA has launched a Legal Services Mobile App for Android and IOS version which  facilitate  seeking  legal  assistance,  legal  advice,  tracking  of  application, applying for victim compensation, etc.
- (iii)  Legal  Services  Authorities  are  also  providing  legal  advice  through  NALSA's National Toll Free Helpline Number 15100 through IVRS Technology.

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