---
title: "Shah Bano Begum Case (1985): Verdict | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985) ruling established that divorced Muslim women can claim maintenance, influencing the Muslim Women Act 1986."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/shah-bano-begum-case-1985"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Mohd.
- Ahmed Khan v.
- What did the Supreme Court actually decide in the Shah Bano case?
- How did Parliament respond to the judgment?
- Was the Shah Bano principle ultimately preserved or reversed?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985) like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985)

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985)](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Mohd.%20Ahmed%20Khan%20v.%20Shah%20Bano%20Begum%20\(1985\)%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In April 1985, Chief Justice Y. V. Chandrachud's Supreme Court bench awarded maintenance to Shah Bano Begum of Indore under CrPC Section 125, prompting Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's government to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act in 1986.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985) beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.