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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
New Delhi: In the wake of the tragic Atul Subhash Suicide Case, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court of India, seeking significant reforms to curb the misuse of dowry and domestic violence laws. The plea highlights the urgent need to ensure that husbands and their families are not subjected to undue harassment under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code and other related laws.
The petitioner has called for the constitution of an expert committee comprising retired Supreme Court judges, senior lawyers, and eminent legal jurists. This committee would review and reform existing domestic violence and dowry laws, providing recommendations to address their alleged misuse.
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The PIL also urges the court to implement measures outlined in landmark judgments, such as Preeti Gupta v. State of Jharkhand and Achin Gupta v. State of Haryana (Criminal Appeal No. 2379/2024, decided on May 3, 2024). These rulings emphasized the need to prevent the misuse of legal provisions intended to protect women, ensuring a fair application of justice.
Additionally, the plea proposes a mandatory provision for marriage registrations to include an affidavit listing all gifts, articles, and monetary exchanges that took place during the marriage ceremonies. This record would be appended to the marriage certificate, creating transparency and potentially reducing disputes related to dowry claims.
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The petitioner argues that while these laws were enacted to protect women from exploitation, their misuse has led to significant distress and false allegations against husbands and their families. The proposed reforms aim to strike a balance between safeguarding women’s rights and preventing the misuse of legal provisions.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter in the coming weeks, with legal experts and activists closely monitoring developments. The case has reignited debates around the effectiveness and fairness of India’s dowry and domestic violence laws.
