India

Wife Need Not Seek Permission to Visit Parents, Rules Karnataka HC

Published: 26 August 2026 · 1 min read

What Happened

The Karnataka High Court ruled that a wife cannot be compelled to seek permission from her husband or in-laws to visit her parents and cannot be forced to perform household chores or care for her in-laws. While dismissing a husband's plea against a maintenance order, the court observed that marriage does not give one partner the right to control, dominate or dictate the other's choices, freedom or individuality.

Key Takeaways

The court reinforced that household responsibilities should be shared equally and that caring for in-laws should be voluntary. It stressed that a married woman retains full autonomy over her personal decisions, finances and life choices.

Sources

Moneycontrol, Indian Express