MillenniumPost
Nation

Women’s panel for bilateral pacts to bring to book NRIs who cheat wives

The National Commission for Women (NCW) and Telangana Women's Commission have recommended to the Union government to enter into bilateral pacts with different foreign countries for bringing to book those NRI men who cheat Indian women after marriage. 

A number of non-resident Indian (NRI) men have been found to be evading the Indian laws by appealing in courts in the country where they are living, Telangana State Commission for Women chairperson T Venkata Ratnam said here.

A consultation was held here recently with stakeholders on cheating of women by NRI men after marriage, she said.

"If the marriage is performed as per the Hindu Marriage Act, then foreign courts do not have power to give divorce for that marriage. If the man goes to foreign courts, foreign courts are taking up that case as per domestic laws there and they are simply giving divorce decrees," she noted.

"Even if the woman is in Hyderabad or somewhere else, they are sending divorce decrees by post also," she added, adding that such divorce decrees are not valid as per Supreme Court judgments.

"Because, if the marriage is performed as per Hindu Marriage Act, then divorce should also be as per that only... But, foreign courts are not at all bothering about our laws. So, bilateral agreements should be made," she said.

The bilateral agreement should hold that the foreign countries must respect Indian laws, Ratnam said.

"Because, both the boy and girl will be having Indian passports. They are not foreign citizens. When both are Indian citizens, when both got married as per marriage laws of this country, foreign courts are not supposed to give, pass divorce decrees," she said.

Replying to a query, she said local laws cannot apply to marriage because the wife and husband live in the foreign country as foreigners.

The NCW and the Telangana Women's Commission together have made the suggestion to the Union Government and its response is awaited, she said.
Next Story
Share it