The High Court of Bangladesh has ruled that a Muslim man no longer needs his wife's consent to enter into a second marriage. The decision came in response to a petition concerning the Muslim Family Law, with the court clarifying that approval from the Arbitration Council, not the first wife, is the determining factor for a lawful second marriage.

Previously, it was widely practiced that a husband required his first wife's permission before remarrying. The court stated that no such direct obligation exists in the Muslim Family Law. The 24-page verdict explained that the authority to approve a second marriage lies with the Arbitration Council, making spousal consent non-mandatory. Historically, under Section 494 of the Penal Code of 1860, marrying again without spousal consent carried a seven-year prison term, later revised in 1961 to require council approval instead.

Petitioners have announced plans to appeal, arguing that the ruling could weaken regulations on polygamy. Sociologists warned that misuse of multiple marriages could increase inequality and family instability, urging final resolution by the Supreme Court.