In the wake of the increase in fraudulent NRI (Non-Resident Indian) marriages, the Telangana State Commission for Women has organised a round-table conference with experts in various fields, to discuss and chart out measures to prevent women from becoming victims.
The conference was attended by MP Dr K Keshava Rao, additional commissioner (Crimes & SIT) Swati Lakra, CID IG Sowmya Misra, State Commission for Women chairman Tripura Venkataratnam, along with several advocates, counsellors and representatives from various NGOs. During the conference, the participants gave suggestions, for some of which MP KK has assured to notify them with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, and also with KCR.
Speaking to the gathering, MP KK said that despite several measures and stringent laws, women were becoming victims of the fraudulent marriages. Most of the times, the reason is poor financial condition and lack of awareness among the parents of the women, who marry off their children to the NRIs without doing proper enquiry. “Creating awareness among parents to enquire about the NRI alliances before getting their daughters married off is one of the best possible measures that can prevent women from becoming victims of abandonment and fraudulent marriages,” he stressed.
The MP said that he would take the matter of starting a dedicated helpline for women married to NRIs and living in foreign countries, with the MEA. It could be used by them during emergencies and reach the concerned officials for help.
Bilateral agreement between India and other countries cannot alone solve the issue, he added. IG Sowmya Misra said 150 cases are either pending trial or under investigation in TS. She said that in most of the cases, the NRIs either send their wives to India or abandon them in the foreign countries. As the foreign countries do not consider domestic violence and harassment as a crime, issuing Red Corner Notice was stopped.
“The pendency of the cases has two reasons - the NRI is not available for prosecution or he is staying abroad. Look Out Notices have been issued in all the cases,” she said.
Swati Lakra said the police are taking matters with the court and obtaining permission to issue non-bailable warrants and impound the passports of the accused.