The Supreme Court's verdict on divorced Muslim women's maintenance rights is considered a great example of harmonious interpretation because it:
Limits the scope of rights and remedies available to women seeking maintenance
Expands the scope of rights and secularises access to remedies for women seeking maintenance
Excludes women from seeking maintenance under any provision
Upholds the perception that the right of Muslim women under secular provisions stood extinguished since 1986
View Answer
Correct Answer: B — Expands the scope of rights and secularises access to remedies for women seeking maintenance
Explanation:
The Court used harmonious interpretation to expand the scope of rights and secularise access to remedies for divorced Muslim women. In doing so, it neutralised the perception that the right of Muslim women to seek maintenance under secular provisions (CrPC Section 125) stood extinguished since the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.