NRI Matrimonial Woes Surge: Government Efforts in 2022

The government’s NRI cell received over 400 complaints from women in 2022, addressing issues like domestic violence, passport confiscation, desertion, dowry demands, and child custody disputes. Enhanced collaboration across government departments is urged to resolve the complexity of these NRI matrimonial issues effectively.

The government’s NRI cell reported a significant surge in complaints from women in 2022, with issues such as domestic violence, passport confiscation, desertion, dowry demands, and child custody disputes. Between January and March 2022, 109 complaints were registered, while an additional 372 were received from April to December, according to a Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) report accessed by PTI.

The report revealed that several serious allegations, including confiscation of passports by in-laws and women being unable to join their husbands abroad due to the latter's disappearance, were prevalent. It emphasized the need for collaboration across various government departments to address the complexities of NRI marriages, which often involve legal and financial aid, child custody issues, and the location of missing spouses.

The National Commission for Women (NCW), in coordination with the Ministries of WCD, External Affairs, and Home Affairs, handled a total of 481 complaints in 2022, issuing nearly 3,500 letters to expedite case resolutions. The NCW also provided psycho-social and legal counseling, conducted hearings, and proposed establishing One Stop Centres and dedicated helplines in Indian Diplomatic Missions abroad to support women facing violence or disputes in NRI marriages.