Generally, no — under the Passport Rules applicable in India, obtaining or making changes to a minor child's passport typically requires the consent of both parents, reflecting the law's recognition that decisions affecting a child's international travel documentation are significant matters requiring joint parental involvement, particularly where custody or divorce proceedings are pending or have concluded with specific custody arrangements in place.

If both parents have joint or shared custody, passport applications or modifications generally require both parents' signatures or documented consent, and passport authorities in Chennai will typically request this joint consent unless a court order specifically addresses passport-related decision-making authority, such as through a final custody order designating one parent with exclusive authority over the child's travel documentation.

If your spouse has attempted to apply for or cancel your child's passport without your knowledge or consent during pending divorce or custody proceedings, you can bring this to the immediate attention of the Chennai family court, seeking an appropriate order restraining unilateral action, and you can also directly notify the regional passport office of the ongoing dispute and request that no action be taken without your explicit consent or a specific court directive.

Given the potential for passport-related actions to facilitate unauthorised international travel or removal of a child, it is important to proactively address this issue early in your custody or divorce proceedings. Consulting the team at Aapka Legal Advice can help you understand your rights regarding your child's passport and take appropriate preventive steps.

Given the significant implications passport control can have for preventing unauthorised international travel with a child, obtaining a second opinion from a retired judge on how to best secure your parental rights can provide valuable protective guidance. Chennai's experienced family law advocates and retired judges, available through Aapka Legal Advice's Chennai divorce lawyer directory, regularly assist with these passport and international travel-related custody concerns.

In conclusion, one parent generally cannot unilaterally apply for or cancel a child's passport in Chennai without the other's consent, and proactively addressing this issue through the family court provides important protection against unauthorised action.