The Bombay High Court in Shakil Ahmad Jalaluddin Shaikh vs. Vahida Shakil Shaikh has held that, mere existence of a document like talaqnama, is not sufficient to render a valid Talaq. Justice M.S. Sonak held that, for a valid Talaq, it is not sufficient that the prescribed expressions are pronounced thrice but the stages it is preceded by, are required to be pleaded and proved before the Court, if disputed by wife. Bombay High Court IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 2201 OF 2007 Shakil Ahmad Jalaluddin Shaikh .. Petitioner vs. Vahida Shakil Shaikh & Anr. .. Respondents Mr. R. S. Khadapkar for Petitioner. Ms Tejasweeta Bhosale h/f. Mr. R. S. Kate for Respondent No. 1 CORAM : M. S. SONAK, J. Date of Reserving the Judgment : 15 January 2016 Date of Pronouncing the Judgment : 20 January 2016