SC asks Centre to reply on plea against Parsi jury system

New Delhi, Dec 1  : The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre on a plea by a Parsi woman who challenged the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act that allows the local Parsi community to act as jury in the grant of divorce to an estranged couple.

A bench of Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Deepak Gupta issued the notice on a petition by Naomi Sam Irani from Maharashtra who challenged the 1936 law, wondering why such a law had not been challenged so far.

In the last hearing on November 24, the court had asked Additional Solicitor General A.N.S. Nadkarni to seek the Centre's views on the matter.

Irani contended that the involvement of the Parsi community in matrimonial disputes was violative of fundamental rights.

Urging for court intervention, she cited an apex court verdict to strike down 'triple talaq' as violative of the Muslim women's right to life and dignity.