Answer
(Fatwa: 1285/B-236/TB=1433)
The main thing is that when wife is present in front of him then he may give her talaq verbally. Writing is in place of verbal talaq. As long as it is possible to follow the main thing (verbal talaq) it shall not be taken into consideration to opt for it’s alternative. Hence in case the wife is present in front of the husband and yet he writes talaq, then it shall not be valid and neither it is needed. Such a talaq shall not take place until he does not pronounce it verbally. So, in the question mentioned above no talaq shall take place.
وفي البحر أن المراد الاكراه على التلفظ بالطلاق فلو أكره على أن يكتب طلاق امرأته فكتب لا تطلق. ان الكتابة اقيمت مقام العبارة باعتبار الحاجة ولا حاجة هنا كذا فى الخانية . شامي مجتبائي (ص 421/ ج:2)
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband