Reverse harassment

July 4, 2007 · Filed Under India-centric · 3 Comments 

legs

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

We have heard ad nauseum about women being harassed by cruel husbands and in-laws. But in the recent past, there are innumerable cases of innocent husbands and their old parents being subjected to abject torture and mental agony by young married women. Such incidents have become ubiquitous especially in the upper and middle strata of Indian society.

Demographically, ladies hailing from elite classes and from so-called upper castes (that includes Brahmins!) are more prone to misuse the provision of Anti-Dowry Harassment Law in India viz: Section 498a of Indian Penal Code.

There are many a horror story of innocent victims of the law. It is a sad state of affairs that the law meant to protect women is misused indiscriminately against men, women and children, who are traumatized for life after being licked by this draconian law. The trauma for the husband’s family can start from the wedding day itself. In fact, it can start even before the shaadi is solemnized!

498a The controversial draconian law “Section 498a of IPC” was formulated in 1983 for the betterment of Indian Society. At that time, nobody had ever imagined that this law would be mainly used to terrorize and torture old and sick elders, innocent mothers and sisters.

Under Section 498a of IPC, if a woman complains of harassment and cruelty by husband, his relatives (old and sick parents, sisters, even children!) and friends, the accused are all considered “guilty till proven innocent”. They all are arrested without investigation or warrant, as this alleged offense is cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. Read more

Tags: , , , , , ,