Telangana High Court upholds Muslim women's right to unilateral divorce
The Telangana High Court just made it clear: Muslim women can end their marriage through khula—no need for the husband's approval.
The court said its main job is to check if the woman's request is genuine after trying for reconciliation or any offer by the wife to return the dower (mehr).
This decision came from Justices Moushumi Bhattacharya and B.R. Madhusudhan Rao, giving much-needed clarity on women's rights in personal law.
What the court said
The judges tossed out a husband's challenge against his wife's khula certificate, saying her request alone is enough.
They also pointed out that certificates from religious councils or Muftis are optional—what matters legally is the woman's demand.
The court stressed that neither the Quran nor Hadith require a husband's consent for khula, making this a big step forward for Muslim women seeking fair treatment under the law.