New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to form a constitution bench to conduct proceedings on pleas related to polygamy and nikah-halala, practised among Muslims.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said that it will form a new bench to deal with the issues.

A five-judge bench of justices Indira Banerjee, Hemant Gupta, Surya Kant, MM Sundresh and Sudhanshu Dhulia were hearing the matter.

The court was dealing with a petition seeking the declaration of polygamy and nikah-halala, practised among Muslims, as illegal and unconstitutional.

The practice of nikah-halala requires a divorced woman to marry someone else, consummate the marriage and then get a divorce in order to again marry her first husband under Muslim personal law.

ALSO READ: 'Hold your mouth', Attorney General to SC during EC appointment hearing

On the other hand, polygamy is the practice of having more than one wife or husband at the same time.