(Image source from: Latestlaws.com)
Indian government, for the first time has revoked passports of five Non-Resident Indians on the accusation of abandoning their wives soon after wedlock or following conflicts abroad.
The evolution has come after Ministry of External Affairs agreed to a proposal by Union Women and Child Development Ministry to issue rigorous action in NRI marital dispute cases.
The law ministry as well this week acknowledged a proposal by WCD ministry in issuance of order through MEA website in such cases.
“This is a crucial step the government has taken to curb this fast-growing menace as we are abandoned with complaints where brides are dumped by NRI grooms post weddings,” a senior WCD ministry official said.
The revoking of passports will force NRI grooms to return to India and face the trial as they had been evading arrests by not responding to summons despite non-bailable warrants issued against them, the official said.
The measure has been taken in cases where look-out circulars were issued last month as a part of standard operating procedure. The authorities have been receiving pleadings of impostors, forsaking, domestic violence, extra-marital relationships, ex parte divorce, duping of money after promising wedlock and illegal retention of children's custody among other pleadings.
The ministry official further said, a large number of NRI Matrimonial dispute cases remain pending on account of non-appearance of the perpetrator jeopardizing women and children’s future.
Under the chairmanship of secretary, WCD ministry an Integrated Nodal Agency was constituted to work on the issues related to NRI Matrimonial Dispute. The proposed measures are such as connecting the property of wife deserters and their families in India to deter such activities.
The surveys by few Non-Governmental Organizations bespeak that there are thousands of women states of Punjab, Gujarat, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala who have been deserted by their spouses. In umpteen cases the abandoned women and their families impeach men and their kin of charging heavy dowry and then deceiving them.
By Sowmya Sangam
