Estranged dad's consent not must for issuing child's passport

High court overturns RPO's decision; says the mother can obtain passport as a single parent

- Nikunj Soni

The Gujarat High Court has ordered the Regional Passport Officer (RPO) to reissue a passport within eight weeks to a minor girl whose mother has her custody. The court ruled that the mother could obtain the passport as a single parent.

The mother filed the petition with the High Court after the RPO refused to issue the passport because the girl's biological father hadn't consented.

The parents are separated and currently contesting their divorce case. The father had previously waived his visitation rights.