Anti-dowry law misused to harass husbands, families: NGO

New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) Expressing concern over the increasing misuse of anti-dowry laws, an NGO today demanded that the government set up a National Commission for Family Welfare to protect the victims and provide stringent punishment to those abusing legal provisions.

According to the NGO, 4989.org, section 498(a) of the IPC was brought to prevent harassment of women for dowry by their husbands and in laws but now it is being grossly misused. It has increasingly emerged as a ''weapon'' misused by women to victimise men and their families as the offence under the law is non-bailable.

It quoted research and statistics to show that about 80 per cent dowry cases are generally found without merit by the courts, while the husbands and their families are threatened by the protectors of the law and forced to settle the case by paying exorbitant amount of money. Very often, such court cases continues for years, prolonging the suffering of the familes, especially women.

''Since there are no legal repercussions of filing a false case, more and more women use this law to facilitate divorce and to make the most of a failed marriage. They threaten husbands and and in-laws, who for the fear of imprisonment are forced to accept, unreasonable, unethical demands,'' Nishant Kumar of 498.org said.

Pointing out that even the Supreme Court while disposing of a case in July last year had said that ''misuse of Section 498(a) of IPC for ulterior purposes can unleash a form of legal terrorism.'' Even if the court later finds that the case was frivulous, once arrested under the law it ruins the reputation of the family, it pointed out and said that measures be taken to prevent of elder abuse in the name of law. Pointing out that entire family, including unmarried girls and elder parents, are generally put into prison by the police once a complaint is filed under the Act, the NGO demanded that the ''legal terrorism be stopped and a more balanced law be brought.'' The NGO demanded that government employees should not face suspension once arrested under the law as also more linient approach be adopted so that no passport surrender or travel restrictions be imposed on the husbands. Speedy and fair trial be done of all marital disputes and father not be deprived of their children, it said.

Moreover, gender equality be brought in the law so that all kinds of harassment, even those done by wives and their parents, be brought under its purview. Gender specific words like husband and wife be replaced by spouse, it said.

UNI AJ KD RN1838