Family
Religion determines which personal law applies
Muslims, Hindus and Christians are each governed by their own family law. Muslim marriage and divorce follow the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961; Hindu law has no statutory divorce.
Governing law
- Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961
- Family Courts Ordinance, 1985Act, 2023
- Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939
- Hindu Marriage Registration Act, 2012
In practice
A Muslim husband's talaq must be notified to the Union Parishad chairman and takes effect after ninety days of attempted reconciliation; polygamy requires the existing wife's consent through an arbitration council. Hindu women cannot obtain a divorce under Bangladeshi Hindu law, an acknowledged reform gap. Custody follows welfare of the child but with strong presumptions by age and sex. Inter-religious couples generally use the Special Marriage Act.