Members of the Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF) just opened the PATIALA chapter for families who have been implicated in false dowry scandals. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Red Cross Bhawan, here this afternoon.
The Chapter will be headed by a local resident of Patiala Abhishek, who is also a victim of this gross injustice and abuse that happens in the Indian Legal system.
A meeting will be held every Sunday at the Baradari Gardens (Near Sheranwala Gate) from 5 P.M. The Patiala Chapter will be having a separate helpline for the families in order to seek family and guidance. The Helpline numbers are: 9780911550. 9855771507, 9888009199, 9988293457.
A team of the Chandigarh Chapter of the Save Indian Family, who felt that there is an urgent need of opening a Chapter in Patiala, were present at the conference.
The impact of the legal terrorism is enormous:
In every 6 minutes an innocent is arrested.
In every 30 minutes an innocent woman is arrested.
In every 2 hours an innocent elderly is arrested.
In every day an innocent child is arrested.
Source: National Crime Records Bureau 2005
Several authorities have noted that in close to 98% of cases filed under Section 498A, there is no conviction, which means that this law is misused and grossly ineffective (Reference CSR research report) and that the complaints were only filed with ulterior motives.
Renowned former IPS officer Kiran Bedi admitted that many poor and illiterate mothers and sisters-in-law, who are falsely charged under IPC Section 498A, are languishing in prison every year.
The Supreme Court of India has labeled the misuse of IPC Section 498A as “legal terrorism” (Reference: Writ Petition (civil) 141 of 2005, Sushil Kumar Sharma Vs Union of India and Ors.).
The Delhi High Court recently stated that IPC Section 498A is the most abused provision. The World Health Organization, in its report on India clearly cited Section 498A as one of the major reasons for the “Increasing Abuse of the Elderly in India”.
Recently, the National Human Rights Commission noted that the Tihar jail is overflowing with people falsely accused under dowry cases.
“There is a provision, wherein taking and giving dowry is an offence. However, police are quick to register an FIR against husbands and their families for seeking a dowry, but not a single FIR has been registered against girls or their families for giving the dowry”, said Arun Kumar , coordinator, Chandigarh chapter.
“Misuse of anti-dowry laws and other woman-protection laws has now become a well recognized problem in India. Increasing number of aged parents, sisters and children in the husband’s family are falsely accused and arrested under these in-humane’ laws, and find them defenceless against the harassment unleashed thereafter”, said Vikas Kapur , coordinator , Chandigarh Chapter.
More than 98% of Indian husbands face Domestic Violence charges at least once from their wife on an average of 3 Years of Marriage, especially in terms of economic abuse, mental harassment and abuse, and relationship cheating. More than 22,000 Indian men have ended their life in reverse dowry harassment. 6,800 wives ended their life due to dowry harassment by their husbands.
In all the 6,800 cases the Indian husbands had been sent behind bars without any investigation and more than 68% found to be innocent, where as in the 22,000 cases only 6 cases had been registered and not a single woman has been questioned as to why their husbands ended their life, let alone any punishment.
More than two-thirds of married men in India between the ages of 15 and 49 are victims of forced sex by their girlfriends and in more than 78% cases the men had been booked under Rape cases, as they refused to marry their girlfriends.
Crime against men is increasing with a Growth rate of 42% in last 5 years, whereas the media and government have never bothered to disclose this in front of the Public. Sexual harassment and refusal of sex has happened with more than 82% of Indian men as their wives refused physical union at least once in 6 months and 42% of men have faced this once in 3 months.
“The World Health Organization identified misuse of IPC Section 498A as the prominent reason for elder abuse in India. The Supreme Court of India has described the misuse of IPC Section 498A as ‘Legal Terrorism’, and stressed that the law must be amended in order to protect the innocent, and to ensure justice to the genuinely aggrieved. Rational and responsible citizens from all over the country and abroad have repeatedly warned that these laws in their present form are detrimental to family harmony, and left unchecked, these laws have enormous potential to shatter marital and family stability in years to come”, added Arun.
Due to lack of social support and legal protection many male victims of domestic abuse are taking their lives every day. Recently, the increasing threat of false cases is also driving many married men to commit suicide.
“False cases are severely hampering the personal and professional lives of the most productive section of the Indian population. Aspirations of young men and women are being crushed, and their most fruitful years are being wasted in litigation. Many men have lost their jobs or have had to quit their professions as a result of the never-ending legalized harassment”, said Vikas.
About the Save Indian Family Foundation:
Save Indian Family is a strong team of dedicated families comprising of victims of “misuse of 498a”and all gender biased LAW of India, including NRIs, Senior citizens who campaign and create awareness about gross injustice and abuse that happen in Indian Legal system.
SIFF is a non-funded organisation, wherein the members amicably contribute towards certain activities. The affected families are guided and educated against the misuse of pro woman laws. The families are not only guided, but are also supported in every possible step in fighting this legal terrorism. Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF), is a registered, non-funded, non-profit, Non-Government Organization (NGO) headquartered at Bangalore and chapter all over India.