On August 8, three adult women planned a trip to Nepal. They were Rifa Tamanna, Sohani Islam Samapti and Naznin. They had valid passports and documents, and no criminal case or court order restricted their travel. Immigration officials reportedly asked why they were unmarried and whether their families had consented. They were then turned back, and no reason was recorded.
The Court Steps In
After their complaints went unanswered, the women filed a writ petition on September 15. On September 29, a High Court bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Fatema Anwar issued a rule. It asks why obstructing adult women from lawful foreign travel only because they are unmarried, travelling without a guardian or on gender-based grounds should not be declared without lawful authority. It also asks why authorities should not be told to issue guidelines against such obstruction.
Orders Already Issued
The court directed the Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP) concerned to dispose of the women’s complaint within seven days and submit a compliance report. It also directed immigration authorities not to obstruct the petitioners from future foreign travel if their documents are valid. Authorities have been given four weeks to respond.
What the Law Says
The petitioners’ lawyer, Ishrat Hasan, said police cannot stop anyone from travelling abroad without a court order or a criminal case. He said that if an adult woman has a valid passport, officials have no scope to check whether her family consented. Legal commentary notes that the right to travel abroad is constitutionally recognised but is not absolute. It adds that marital status is not a legal ground for stopping a citizen from leaving the country.
Official Response
A Special Superintendent of Immigration Police, Moniruzzaman, did not directly explain the incident. He said the department would meet senior officials and take appropriate measures once it receives a copy of the order.
Many women say solo travellers face the same questions at airports and checkpoints. The final ruling could set clear guidance for immigration officers across the country.
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