Aizawl: The Supreme Court has declined to directly hear a challenge filed by a Mizo woman against Mizoram’s amended marriage and inheritance law, directing the petitioner to approach Gauhati High Court.A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, issued the direction on Aug 24 on a petition filed by Meriam L Hrangchal against provisions of the Mizo Marriage and Inheritance of Property (Amendment) Act, 2026.The court said Hrangchal should approach the high court having jurisdiction over the place where she resides, rather than being required to travel to Delhi for the proceedings.The bench also addressed the petitioner’s concerns about possible public pressure if the case were heard in Aizawl. It said that, subject to the Chief Justice’s approval, the matter could be taken up at the principal bench of the Gauhati High Court.The Supreme Court clarified that its order did not constitute any finding on the validity or otherwise of the amended legislation.Hrangchal, who unsuccessfully contested the 2023 state assembly polls as a Congress candidate, has argued that provisions of the 2026 amendments are unconstitutional. She has particularly challenged what she describes as the discriminatory treatment of Mizo women who marry non-Mizo men. Her petition also raises concerns over the rights and entitlements of children born from such marriages and seeks the removal of the disputed provisions.The 2026 legislation amends the Mizo Marriage and Inheritance of Property Act, 2014, bringing changes to provisions relating to multiple marriages, inter-community marriages and property rights of women.The Supreme Court is also hearing another challenge to the amended Mizo law. Lalsangliani Colney filed a petition on May 8. That petition, however, has not yet reached the hearing stage, as certain filing defects are yet to be rectified.
