38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, October 31, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Madras HC Directs Passport Office To Process Wife’s Application Without Husband’s Signature [Read Order]

By Saket Sourav      23 June, 2025 12:30 PM      0 Comments
Madras HC Directs Passport Office To Process Wifes Application Without Husbands Signature

Chennai: The Madras High Court has delivered a significant judgment affirming women’s independence in passport applications, emphasizing that married women do not require their husband’s permission or signature to obtain a passport.

Justice N. Anand Venkatesh made crucial observations on the practice of requiring spousal consent for passport applications and its implications for women’s rights.

The court addressed a writ petition filed by J. Revathy against the Government of India and the Regional Passport Office. It noted that the petitioner, who married Mohana Krishnan in 2023 and had a child in 2024, applied for a passport on 24.04.2025 but was told she must obtain her husband’s signature in Form-J for processing.

Addressing the specific concerns regarding the passport office’s requirements, the court observed:
“This insistence by the 2nd respondent reflects the societal mindset of treating married women as if they are chattel belonging to the husband. It is quite shocking that the passport office insists on the husband’s permission and signature in a particular form.”

The court highlighted the legal and constitutional issues surrounding such practices, stating:
“The petitioner, after marrying the abovementioned Mohanakrishnan, does not lose her individuality. A wife can always apply for a passport without the permission or signature of her husband in any form.”

In a specific directive, the court ordered:
“There shall be a direction to the 2nd respondent to process the application submitted by the petitioner and issue a passport in her name, subject to fulfillment of other requirements. This process shall be completed within four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.”

The court emphasized that such practices are contrary to the goals of women’s emancipation, stating:
“The practice of insisting on the husband’s permission to apply for a passport does not augur well for a society moving towards women’s emancipation. This practice is nothing short of male supremacism.”

The case arose amid matrimonial disputes between the petitioner and her husband, with HMOP No. 289 of 2025 seeking dissolution of marriage pending before the Sub Court, Alandur. The passport office had cited this pending dispute as an additional reason for requiring the husband’s consent.

The court has now directed the Regional Passport Office to process such applications independently, reinforcing the principle that marriage does not diminish a woman’s individual rights.

Case Title: J. Revathy vs. The Government of India & Ors.

[Read Order]



Share this article:

About:

Saket is a final-year law student at The National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam. He has...Read more

Follow:
Linkedin


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

'Mediation Can Effectively Resolve Disputes Governing the LGBTQ Community; it Ensures Relationships are Preserved, Privacy is Guarded and Parties are Heard' : Justice Anand Venkatesh 'Mediation Can Effectively Resolve Disputes Governing the LGBTQ Community; it Ensures Relationships are Preserved, Privacy is Guarded and Parties are Heard' : Justice Anand Venkatesh

them, acknowledge their presence, and make room for them. It will not work if you approach it in the traditional manner. Consider them as human beings; that is all they are requesting, Justice Anand Venkatesh finally remarked. LGBTQ Community, LGBTQ Community flag, LGBTQ Community in delhi, Madras high court, Madras high court order

TN Medical Council declares change of gender identity of LGBTQIA+ as misconduct [Read Notification] TN Medical Council declares change of gender identity of LGBTQIA+ as misconduct [Read Notification]

The notification was issued in compliance with the directions issued by the Madras High Court in its July 8, 2022, order.

Madras High Court Directs Tamil Nadu Government to Ensure Quota for Transgenders in Local Body Elections [Read Order] Madras High Court Directs Tamil Nadu Government to Ensure Quota for Transgenders in Local Body Elections [Read Order]

Madras High Court directs Tamil Nadu government to provide reservations for transgender individuals in local body elections, aiming for inclusion and democratic participation. The court emphasizes the need to eliminate social stigma and uphold the rights of transgender individuals.

Anti Corruption sleuths acted like "puppets in The Muppet Show", HC notice to ex TN CM in disproportionate assets case [Read Order] Anti Corruption sleuths acted like "puppets in The Muppet Show", HC notice to ex TN CM in disproportionate assets case [Read Order]

Madras High Court questions integrity of MP/MLA case judgments, criticizes anti-corruption sleuths acting as 'puppets' in political show. Examination of corruption cases against lawmakers amid regime changes.

TRENDING NEWS

sc-hints-at-pan-india-guidelines-on-timeline-to-frame-charges
Trending Judiciary
SC hints at pan-India guidelines on timeline to frame charges

SC mulls pan-India guidelines to curb delays in framing charges; notes cases where charges aren’t framed even after years despite BNSS mandate of 60 days.

30 October, 2025 12:22 PM
limitation-for-continuous-breach-runs-only-till-contract-expiry-kerala-hc-clarifies
Trending Judiciary
Limitation for Continuous Breach Runs Only Till Contract Expiry: Kerala High Court Clarifies [Read Judgment]

Kerala HC clarifies that for continuous breach of contract, limitation under Article 55 starts when breach ceases; once contract ends, breach cannot continue.

30 October, 2025 01:37 PM

TOP STORIES

sc-quashes-uapa-arrests-holds-remand-courts-explanation-cannot-replace-written-grounds-of-arrest
Trending Judiciary
SC Quashes UAPA Arrests, Holds Remand Court’s Explanation Cannot Replace Written Grounds Of Arrest [Read Order]

Supreme Court quashes UAPA arrests, ruling that remand court’s explanation cannot substitute the mandatory written grounds of arrest.

25 October, 2025 11:10 AM
ngt-orders-probe-into-illegal-tree-felling-in-delhis-civil-lines-directs-action-within-three-months
Trending Environment
NGT Orders Probe into Illegal Tree Felling in Delhi’s Civil Lines, Directs Action Within Three Months [Read Order]

NGT directs Tree Officer to probe illegal tree felling in Delhi’s Civil Lines and take action under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.

25 October, 2025 11:28 AM
gauhati-hc-quashes-fir-against-cnn-news18-anchor-akansha-swarup-over-kamakhya-temple-remarks
Trending CelebStreet
Gauhati HC Quashes FIR Against CNN-News18 Anchor Akansha Swarup Over Kamakhya Temple Remarks [Read Order]

Gauhati HC quashes FIR against CNN-News18 anchor Akansha Swarup, ruling her Kamakhya Temple remarks were careless but lacked malicious intent.

25 October, 2025 11:43 AM
delhi-hc-upholds-divorce-on-cruelty-grounds-denies-alimony-to-financially-independent-wife
Trending Judiciary
Delhi HC Upholds Divorce On Cruelty Grounds, Denies Alimony To Financially Independent Wife [Read Judgment]

Delhi HC upholds divorce on cruelty grounds, denies alimony to IRTS officer wife, ruling that alimony is for need-based justice, not enrichment.

25 October, 2025 12:10 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email