A minor’s fundamental right to obtain a passport and travel abroad cannot be curtailed merely because of an ongoing matrimonial dispute between her parents, the Bombay High Court has ruled.

In an order passed on Wednesday, the court directed the Pune Regional Passport Office (RPO) to issue a passport to a 17-year-old girl within two weeks. According to PTI, the court underscored that the right to travel abroad is an essential aspect of personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. A copy of the judgement was made available on Thursday.