Bangladesh, Oct. 8 -- The High Court has observed that a Family Court may order compensation for a wife if her husband, despite having the financial ability, fails to pay her dower and forces her to seek recovery through court.

The High Court also held that under Muslim family law, a husband cannot impose deferred dower in a Nikahnama without the wife's consent. Once the wife demands the dower, it must be treated as prompt dower and becomes immediately payable.

The observations came in a judgment dismissing a civil revision petition filed by a husband challenging a Family Court judgment concerning dower and maintenance.

A single-member High Court bench headed by Justice Md Abdur Rahman delivered the judgment on September 3, 2026, in t...