Kerala High Court Rules: First Wife Must Consent Before Muslim Man's Second Marriage Registration

Nov 05, 2025 12:46 am CST

The Kerala High Court has ruled that when a Muslim man seeks to register a second marriage while his first marriage remains valid, his first wife must be given an opportunity to express consent or objection. Justice P V Kunhikrishnan emphasized that constitutional rights take precedence over religious considerations in such cases, declaring that a first wife cannot be reduced to a "silent spectator" in the registration process.