In Rousanara Begum v. S.K. Salahuddin & Anr., the Supreme Court held that a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to recover gifts, dowry articles, gold ornaments and other properties given at or around the time of marriage, including those given to the husband, under Section 3(1) of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. The Court ruled that the High Court erred in disbelieving the woman’s claim by giving undue importance to contradictions drawn from a separate Section 498A IPC case, while ignoring reliable evidence such as the Marriage Registrar’s testimony. Emphasising the object and purpose of the 1986 Act, the Court held that it must be interpreted in a purposive manner to ensure dignity, equality and financial security of divorced Muslim women in line with Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court underscored that judicial interpretation should counter patriarchal discrimination rather than reinforce it. Allowing the appeal, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court’s order and directed the husband to refund the claimed amount to the appellant, with 9% annual interest in case of default.