A Grim Reality of Harassment

Protect the innocent men in domestic disputes to ensure justice.

- Sanjeev Sirohi

Reflecting on the misuse of Section 498A IPC, news of the tragic death of Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old techie and senior executive of an automobile company, keeps reaching us through newspapers, news channels, and other media.

In his suicide note, he wrote that he had resorted to this extreme step because his wife and in-laws demanded Rs 30 lakhs for visiting his child and Rs 3 crore for dropping the case against him.

Several times, they threatened to kill him if he didn't pay or comply with their demands.

He added that his wife was already receiving 40,000 rupees per month in maintenance, despite earning her own money while working at Accenture, and she still wanted an additional Rs 2 to 4 lakhs.

He also complained that he and his family were being harassed by the police and the judiciary because of the income tax he paid. Nothing is more deplorable than the penalty a man has to pay in India for earning a living.

He described the situation as "highly shameful and disgusting" and criticised the lack of protection for men in the law, particularly in the updated penal measures.

In recent years, the Supreme Court and several High Courts in different states have repeatedly expressed serious concern over the growing trend of women misusing Section.

498A to burden not only their husbands but also the man's entire family. This is certainly a cause for great concern to society. To stop the widespread misuse of criminal laws meant to protect women, legislators must pay attention to this problem and make the necessary changes.