The High Court has issued a rule over the alleged obstruction of three young women from travelling to Nepal despite having valid passports, visas or entry permits and air tickets, reportedly because they were unmarried.

The court also directed the Additional Inspector General of Police to dispose of their complaints within seven days and submit a compliance report.

A bench of Justice Kamrul Kader and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the orders after hearing a writ petition filed by the three women.

The court directed immigration authorities to take necessary measures so that the petitioners are not obstructed during their future foreign travel.

Supreme Court lawyer Ishrat Hasan appeared for the petitioners, assisted by lawyer Tanzila Rahman Jui.

The court asked why the authorities’ action in preventing the petitioners from travelling abroad should not be declared without lawful authority.

It also sought to know why appropriate directions should not be issued to ensure that adult women are not prevented from lawful foreign travel solely because they are unmarried, travelling without parents or guardians, or on other gender-based considerations.