Government bid to give wives inherited property share

Government bid to give wives inherited property share

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet is likely to discuss an amendment to the marriage laws which, in the event of a divorce, would give the wife an equal share of not only the property acquired by the husband during or before the marriage but also his inherited or inheritable property.

The proposed amendment, that is likely to be controversial, aims to redefine the phrase 'residential property' to include not just the residential house but also other properties acquired by the husband.
In case other members of the family (apart from the husband) also have rights in the inherited property and it is impractical to divide it, the amendment proposes to compensate the wife with an equivalent amount of money in place of her share.
The proposed change aims to give the wife an equal share in the property regardless of whether it was acquired before or after marriage and regardless of whether it is only in the husband's name or held jointly.
The changes in the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, being brought under pressure from civil society as well as a section of MPs, is expected to come up in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The government had earlier introduced the amendment bill in order to alter the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and the Special Marriage Act, 1954, to introduce the option of divorce on grounds of "irretrievable breakdown of marriage".

The government had brought in a Bill to grant the wife the right to a share in the movable and immovable residential properties. But this was found wanting by some civil society groups who demanded that the wife should have a right not just in residential property but also all immovable properties of the husband.
Responding to the criticism, the government has now proposed to make another couple of amendments to provide a share to divorcing women in not just acquired properties but also inherited property and bringing in immovable assets beyond the residential house.
The government has decided to create a special provision in case of inherited properties in light of a Supreme Court order that one co-owner of joint family property does not have the right to sell his undivided share. Considering the Supreme Court orders, the government contended that giving over half the share of the husband in inherited property could lock the divorcing wife in to future litigation. Therefore, the amendment provides for the court to decide if she should get money in lieu of her share in such cases.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-30/india/38929151_1_inherited-property-joint-family-property-special-marriage-act

Man dies in 'police custody'

Man dies in 'police custody'

PATNA: A man, arrested in a dowry case, allegedly died in police custody at Salimpur on Thursday morning.

Salimpur SHO said, "Deceased - Gajendra Prasad Mishra was arrested on Wednesday night in a dowry case lodged by one Dinesh Jha, the father-in-law of Mishra's youngest son Ravi Mishra. On Thursday morning, he started vomiting. We immediately took him to Bahadurpur hospital where he was declared brought dead by the doctors. We are investigating the reason of his death."

According to the police, Ravi Mishra was married to Manita, Dinesh's daughter, who on April 2 this year committed suicide after consuming poison. Dinesh lodged an FIR against Gajendra, Ravi and his mother Shubhkala Mishra for dowry death.

Deceased brother Vijay Mishra said that Dinesh had struck a deal of Rs 3 lakh with his brother to take back the case. "My brother went to meet Dinesh on Wednesday and gave Rs 2.5 lakh with condition of paying rest of the amount only after the withdrawal of the case. Dinesh took the money and offered him a soft drink. Later when my brother left the place, Dinesh called up the police and get him arrested. He was brought to Salimpur police station on Wednesday night," Vijay said.

Vijay further said Dinesh must have poisoned the soft drink that he offered to his brother. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Man-dies-in-police-custody/articleshow/21718809.cms 

Lucknow: Four girls sexually exploit hostel inmate for days, woman staff supply liquor to girls

Lucknow: Four girls sexually exploit hostel inmate for days, woman staff supply liquor to girls

Lucknow: This has crossed all limits of exploitation. A girl from Patna took admission in Lucknow University and enrolled for an MBA programme. But her shocking revelations have cast suspicion on the working of management staff of Lucknow University. Victim girl has alleged that four girls sexually exploited her and crossed all limits, making her depressed and sick. This continued unchecked for days.  All the four girls belong to rich and affluent families. They threatened her of dire consequences if she dared to discuss it with others. 

 

Accused girls never left her alone. They used to escort her to college. After the classes they used to come back with her, never allowing her to interact with others. 

 

But, when she could not take this torture any further, she informed the hostel warden Amita Kanaujia. After that she gave her written complaint to the Procter.  

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article-ht/UP-lucknow-four-girls-sexually-exploit-hostel-inmate-for-days-woman-staff-supply-li-4342804-PHO.html?seq=1

You are here - HomeNewsCity Story City Group decries ‘anti-men’ marriage bill

 You are here - HomeNewsCity Story City  Group decries ‘anti-men’ marriage bill

Citing that the provisions of the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010, are making marriage the ‘property transfer bureau’, members of the Men’s Rights Association (MRA), Pune, which functions as an all-India body, has given a clarion call against the Act.

They have now resolved to not vote for the members of Parliament (MPs) supporting the Bill in the country’s top legislative body for the next general election. The members held a meeting in the city on Thursday.

Looking at the issue as an opportunity to unite, the group has appealed to men to not invest in real estate after this bill is passed, since it has provisions to give

wife the half share of husband’s property, including property acquired before marriage and the property that a man inherits. They claimed marriages will be converted into ‘property transfer bureau’ after this Bill is passed.

The association has called it an anti-men, anti-husband and anti-marriage Bill, which is likely to be debated in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

As part of their campaign against the Bill, the activists have till date met over 25 MPs belonging to various parties to make them aware about the issue.

Talking to Pune Mirror, Atit Rajpara, founder president of MRA-Pune, said, “Despite requests from the men’s groups across the country, the government failed to pay heed.

Not even a single suggestion given by us have been considered. We have done written several times to the MPs, but nothing has happened.”

http://www.punemirror.in/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=2013080920130809103836949de0a8c74&title=Group-decries-%E2%80%98antimen%E2%80%99-marriage-bill 

Parliament passes Companies Bill; Sachin Pilot terms it 'historic'

Parliament passes Companies Bill; Sachin Pilot terms it 'historic'

NEW DELHI: Parliament today approved the new Companies Bill that will make sweeping changes in the way firms operate and are regulated and replace a nearly six-decade-old legislation.

The new bill, which now needs the President's nod to become law, makes it mandatory for companies to spend on social welfare, empowers investors against frauds committed by promoters, encourages companies to have women directors, and seeks to bring in greater transparency in corporate governance matters such as executive salaries and the role of auditors.

Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot termed the passage of the legislation a "historic feat" and said it will give impetus to the country's growth momentum by ushering in a regime of "less regulations and more compliance."

The bill replaces the existing Companies Act, 1956, which has been amended at least 25 times in the past 57 years, with many of its provisions found to be outdated and inadequate.

The passage of the bill, which is spread across nearly 30 sections and over 300 pages, was widely welcomed by stakeholders, including industry bodies, political leaders and consultants.

"The focus of the bill is to enhance transparency and ensure fewer regulations, self-reporting and disclosure...It will outline the positivity in the economy," said Pilot, who has aggressively sought the support of lawmakers and other stakeholders for the bill since becoming Corporate Affairs Minister in October 2012.

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha more than seven months ago. Since then, its passage in the upper house has been delayed by disruptions in Parliament.

It has been almost three years since the submission of first report on the Companies Bill by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.

Pilot said that 96 per cent of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Committee have been accepted and the Ministry would try to incorporate further suggestions by various stakeholders while formulating the final rules.

Among others, the new Bill provides about three dozen new definitions, including terms such as frauds, promoters, turnover, related parties (to promoters), small companies, associate companies and employee stock options.

It provides for a uniform financial year (April-March) for all companies, while the concept of one-person company has been introduced for the benefit of small entrepreneurs. Besides, the new Bill proposes strong checks against fraudulent money-collection activities through issuance of various securities.

The Bill requires auditors to be changed every five years to avoid collusion with the management, while rules would be tightened for appointment of independent directors.

To safeguard the interests of small investors, the Bill proposes approval by two-thirds of the public shareholders for deals that involve promoters and related entities.

It has a provision for setting up special courts for speedy trials and stronger steps for transparent corporate governance practices and curbing corporate misdoings.

The law also provides for "faster winding up" of firms as also for speedier clearances to businesses.

Participating in the Rajya Sabha debate, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar asked Pilot to guard against bogus business entities.

Supporting the Bill, the BJP said a proper check needs to be there to ensure that unscrupulous people do not take advantage of the one-person company provision.

Industry bodies expressed their full support to the government for implementation of the Bill, with the CII saying its passage shows the "government's commitment to usher in a new era of corporate regulation."

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/parliament-passes-companies-bill-sachin-pilot-terms-it-historic/articleshow/21709867.cms 

Woman can’t charge a man with rape after getting pregnant during their love affair, says Bombay HC

Woman can’t charge a man with rape after getting pregnant during their love affair, says Bombay HC 


Mumbai: The Bombay high court said on Thursday that an ‘affair gone bad’ cannot be the ground for accusing a man for rape. Justice Sadhna Jadhav acquitted Borivali resident Manesh Kotiyan of rape charges three years after his arrest.

Justice Jadhav said, “The very fact that the prosecution has admitted in the cross-examination that she had a love affair with the accused and she desired to marry him. In these circumstances, offence under Section 376 of the IPC (rape) would necessarily fail.” She ruled that the rape charges against Kotiyan were ‘unsustainable’.

While acquitting a rape accused Manesh Kotiyan, the HC noted, “She had not cried for help and had not taken her resistance to a logical end. Hence, it would not be justifiable to hold that the consent was obtained by intimidation, force meditated imposition, circumvention surprise or undue influence.” "The complainant is an educated adult person," said the judge. "She was fully aware of the fact that he (Kotiyan) was attracted to her. She chose to accompany him to Gorai. She also checked into a hotel to celebrate his birthday. She was aware of the consequences," said the judge.

However, the court upheld Kotiyan's conviction on charges of cheating as he did not disclose to the victim that he was married and had children. Lawyer, who was appointed to defend Kotiyan, Arfan Sait said there was no evidence that the accused raped her, adding that they had always intend to marry her.

It may be recalled that the victim girl, who was four months pregnant, lodged a case of rape against Kotiyan in March 2010. The two had met when they were working at a stationery shop in Borivli.

According to the prosecution, they had gone to Gorai to celebrate Kotiyan's birthday in November 2009, where he forced her into having sexual intercourse.

In 2012, a sessions court held Kotiyan guilty of rape and sentenced him to seven years rigorous imprisonment.

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MAH-MUM-kotiyan-rape-case-woman-cant-charge-a-man-with-rape-after-getting-pregnant-durin-4318194-NOR.html

'Draconian' amendment in Hindu Marriage Act gives wives final say in divorce cases; men's rights groups not amused

'Draconian' amendment in Hindu Marriage Act gives wives final say in divorce cases; men's rights groups not amused 

Pune: Upset over the latest amendments in the Hindu Marriage Act which virtually give wives a final say in divorce 

 

cases, Men’s Rights Association (MRA) on Saturday staged a protest against the legislation which they term as 'draconian'.

 

"The bill has a provision giving power to the courts to not grant a divorce unless the wife was paid adequate amount of 

 

money in the name of financial security of the woman. Such powers may result in harassment of men," MRA president Atit Rajpara said.

 

He also said the bill also provides special powers to wives to oppose the divorce if she was unhappy with the money she received from the husband under section IPC 498 (A), domestic violence act and several other maintenance laws.

 

According to the MRA, such clauses are outright anti-male and gender-biased and therefore men’s rights activists and organisations are opposing them. Rajpara said the mens’ rights organisations want the bill to be gender-neutral.

 

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MAH-PUN-draconian-amendment-in-hindu-marriage-act-giving-wives-a-final-say-in-divorce-ir-4306641-NOR.html 

Men's rights activists oppose amendment to marriage law

Men's rights activists oppose amendment to marriage law


NAGPUR: Men's rights activists from all across the country are calling on the society to oppose the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010. Calling the proposed bill as an anti-male and anti-marriage entity, the men have opposed discussion of the bill in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament as they feel not enough discussion have been done while formulating the bill. The activists insist that the bill, which gives divorced women an equal stake in the husband's ancestral property, will result in several damaging results, with men being scared of marrying. They also say that it gives the women an unfair advantage. The activists have even declared that not only will they not vote for any member of Parliament who votes in favour of the bill, they would also actively lobby against all such MPs.

"Most men do not marry until they are well settled in life and have a house of their own. For that, they toil day in and day out in order to eke out a living worthy to possess a property. And tomorrow, with the passage of this law, if a man tends to lose his hard-earned property, then men and their families would see no reason for marriage," said city-based men's right activist Rajesh Vakharia. He also said that such laws will only promote the concept of divorce and open the doors of unfair use of laws by women. "Such laws only feed fuel to the fire of gynophobia (fear of women) in the society. There are enough false cases and extortion faced by men under laws regarding domestic violence," said Vakharia. Activists have urged the government to pass the bill only after sufficient debate, discussion and deliberations, and take all stakeholders into confidence. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Mens-rights-activists-oppose-amendment-to-marriage-law/articleshow/21703825.cms 

कुंवारों को हिलाकर रख देने वाली खबर, इन मैडम की तो ये 50वीं शादी है...

कुंवारों को हिलाकर रख देने वाली खबर, इन मैडम की तो ये 50वीं शादी है...

भरूच (गुजरात)। खबर का शीर्षक पढ़कर आप चौंक गए होंगे, लेकिन यह घटना सच है। वालिया तालुका के वांकल गांव में रहने वाली सोनल उर्फ गीता मूलजी राठवा का असली नाम शारदा जयसिंग वसावा है।

सोनल अब तक 50 मर्दों को हिलाकर रख चुकी है। शारदा अब तक एक-दो नहीं बल्कि पूरी 50 शादी कर चुकी है। बस अब इसे सोनल की बदकिस्मती कहिए या फिर अन्य मर्दो की खुशकिस्मती कि ये 51वीं शादी नहीं कर पाएगी।

http://www.bhaskar.com/article-hf/GUJ-women-who-marriage-with-50-mens-4341554-PHO.html?seq=1 

drunken lady creates Drama

wife should follow Devi Sita

Lured by compensation money, more girls make 'fake rape claims'

Lured by compensation money, more girls make 'fake rape claims'

RANCHI: An Odisha girl, who earlier claimed that she was raped near Hatia railway station on July 23 and also that she was a minor, admitted to have cooked up the story to secure compensation after her medical reports false revealed that she neither raped nor was she a minor.

A team of doctors headed by Dr Tulsi Mahto conducted bone age test on the girl at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences and reported that she was 19 years old and three months' pregnant.

Counsellor Seema Sharma, who was appointed by Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JSCPCR) for examining her case, said the girl admitted that she was not raped and had falsely implicated one Pappu Kumar to make her claims look genuine. She said, "The girl revealed that she has been married for the last three years but her husband left her, few months ago. She is pregnant with the child of another man who lives in her neighbourhood. She also said that she lied under parental pressure."

Jagganthpur police station OC Anil Kumar said an FIR had been lodged in the case but when the medical reports arrived and it was found that the girl was lying, the case was closed. He said, "Initially, we lodged an FIR in the case but when JSCPCR and the hospital informed us that the girl is an adult and she was lying about being raped we closed the case"

Member of JSCPCR, Sanjay Mishra said false rape claims have become common, these days. "When we were investigating the Pakur case, where four school girls were gang-raped and compensation of Rs.1.20 lakh was awarded to all these girls, local residents told me that I will get to attend a rape case every day thereafter. No doubt the very next day two girls returned from Delhi claiming that they were raped which turned out to be a fake case again," he added.

Mishra further said it is the compensation money which forces girls to lodge false rape cases under pressure from their guardians. "Under the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe (prevention of atrocities) Act, 1989, there is provision of compensating a rape victim with Rs 1.20 lakh," said Mishra.

He added, "In all such cases, it was observed that the girl hailed from to a very poor family and her parents forced her to lie for compensation."  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Lured-by-compensation-money-more-girls-make-fake-rape-claims/articleshow/21633414.cms 

Husband commits Suicide, brother blames Wife and in-laws

Husband commits Suicide, brother blames Wife and in-laws

A 30 year old man hanged himself at his house today morning; his family blamed his wife and her family members for allegedly provoking him for committing suicide on the issue of five lac rupees.

Ashok Yadav, resident of Yadav Colony, was seen hanging in his room today morning at 7.30 am by his mother who immediately informed other family members. The victim was rushed to the hospital but he was declared dead by the doctors.

Yogesh Yadav, brother of the deceased, has lodged a complaint against Ashok’s in-laws and his wife  for pressurizing Ashok for Rs. 5 Lac failing which, they would complain against him under Mahila Pratarna, said police.

Yogesh informed that, “My brother got married last year. On the very next day, his wife went back to her house at Nathdwara and never came back. Her family members often threatened Ashok for five lac rupees in cash for breaking the marriage.”

Yogesh also informed that the girl was already married to somebody else before getting married to his brother Ashok.

On the other hand, Ashok’s in-laws said that Ashok was not physically fit and they wanted their daughter to divorce him. “There was no issue of cash”, informed Navratam Yadav, Father-in-law of the deceased.

Police has registered the case and started investigating it.

http://www.udaipurtimes.com/husband-commits-suicide-brother-blames-wife-and-in-laws/

A 30 year old man hanged himself at his house today morning; his family blamed his wife and her family members for allegedly provoking him for committing suicide on the issue of five lac rupees.

Ashok Yadav, resident of Yadav Colony, was seen hanging in his room today morning at 7.30 am by his mother who immediately informed other family members. The victim was rushed to the hospital but he was declared dead by the doctors.

Yogesh Yadav, brother of the deceased, has lodged a complaint against Ashok’s in-laws and his wife  for pressurizing Ashok for Rs. 5 Lac failing which, they would complain against him under Mahila Pratarna, said police.

Yogesh informed that, “My brother got married last year. On the very next day, his wife went back to her house at Nathdwara and never came back. Her family members often threatened Ashok for five lac rupees in cash for breaking the marriage.”

Yogesh also informed that the girl was already married to somebody else before getting married to his brother Ashok.

On the other hand, Ashok’s in-laws said that Ashok was not physically fit and they wanted their daughter to divorce him. “There was no issue of cash”, informed Navratam Yadav, Father-in-law of the deceased.

Police has registered the case and started investigating it.

- See more at: http://www.udaipurtimes.com/husband-commits-suicide-brother-blames-wife-and-in-laws/#sthash.bfC7peIe.dpuf

A 30 year old man hanged himself at his house today morning; his family blamed his wife and her family members for allegedly provoking him for committing suicide on the issue of five lac rupees.

Ashok Yadav, resident of Yadav Colony, was seen hanging in his room today morning at 7.30 am by his mother who immediately informed other family members. The victim was rushed to the hospital but he was declared dead by the doctors.

Yogesh Yadav, brother of the deceased, has lodged a complaint against Ashok’s in-laws and his wife  for pressurizing Ashok for Rs. 5 Lac failing which, they would complain against him under Mahila Pratarna, said police.

Yogesh informed that, “My brother got married last year. On the very next day, his wife went back to her house at Nathdwara and never came back. Her family members often threatened Ashok for five lac rupees in cash for breaking the marriage.”

Yogesh also informed that the girl was already married to somebody else before getting married to his brother Ashok.

On the other hand, Ashok’s in-laws said that Ashok was not physically fit and they wanted their daughter to divorce him. “There was no issue of cash”, informed Navratam Yadav, Father-in-law of the deceased.

Police has registered the case and started investigating it.

- See more at: http://www.udaipurtimes.com/husband-commits-suicide-brother-blames-wife-and-in-laws/#sthash.bfC7peIe.dpuf

 

A 30 year old man hanged himself at his house today morning; his family blamed his wife and her family members for allegedly provoking him for committing suicide on the issue of five lac rupees.

Ashok Yadav, resident of Yadav Colony, was seen hanging in his room today morning at 7.30 am by his mother who immediately informed other family members. The victim was rushed to the hospital but he was declared dead by the doctors.

Yogesh Yadav, brother of the deceased, has lodged a complaint against Ashok’s in-laws and his wife  for pressurizing Ashok for Rs. 5 Lac failing which, they would complain against him under Mahila Pratarna, said police.

Yogesh informed that, “My brother got married last year. On the very next day, his wife went back to her house at Nathdwara and never came back. Her family members often threatened Ashok for five lac rupees in cash for breaking the marriage.”

Yogesh also informed that the girl was already married to somebody else before getting married to his brother Ashok.

On the other hand, Ashok’s in-laws said that Ashok was not physically fit and they wanted their daughter to divorce him. “There was no issue of cash”, informed Navratam Yadav, Father-in-law of the deceased.

Police has registered the case and started investigating it.

- See more at: http://www.udaipurtimes.com/husband-commits-suicide-brother-blames-wife-and-in-laws/#sthash.bfC7peIe.dpuf

A 30 year old man hanged himself at his house today morning; his family blamed his wife and her family members for allegedly provoking him for committing suicide on the issue of five lac rupees.

Ashok Yadav, resident of Yadav Colony, was seen hanging in his room today morning at 7.30 am by his mother who immediately informed other family members. The victim was rushed to the hospital but he was declared dead by the doctors.

Yogesh Yadav, brother of the deceased, has lodged a complaint against Ashok’s in-laws and his wife  for pressurizing Ashok for Rs. 5 Lac failing which, they would complain against him under Mahila Pratarna, said police.

Yogesh informed that, “My brother got married last year. On the very next day, his wife went back to her house at Nathdwara and never came back. Her family members often threatened Ashok for five lac rupees in cash for breaking the marriage.”

Yogesh also informed that the girl was already married to somebody else before getting married to his brother Ashok.

On the other hand, Ashok’s in-laws said that Ashok was not physically fit and they wanted their daughter to divorce him. “There was no issue of cash”, informed Navratam Yadav, Father-in-law of the deceased.

Police has registered the case and started investigating it.

- See more at: http://www.udaipurtimes.com/husband-commits-suicide-brother-blames-wife-and-in-laws/#sthash.bfC7peIe.dpuf

 

 

Marital stress drives more men to suicide than women

Study blames women for crimes against them

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when governments are trying to provide more safety to women, a study report prepared by the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, for the state police on various causes for crimes against women seems to be anti-women and regressive. The study cites economic independence of women, their response to crimes against them, dressing pattern, use of mobile phones by youngsters, boundaries of male-female relationships and ignorance on the part of women about their position as the causes, apart from some 50-odd disputable reasons.
The study collected data from 181 victims, 197 police officers, 40 social workers and 44 citizens with the sample size totalling to 462. The report 'Women Victims of Crimes in Kerala 2012-13' was prepared by Dr L Thara Bhai, a research coordinator of the institute. State police chief K S Balasubramanian received the report on Thursday. The office of the state police chief had taken up this initiative during 2012-13 with the help of the institute.

It is claimed in the submitted report that the prescriptive study to find causes also found solutions from public, social workers, police officers and victims themselves. The study gathered information regarding the victims' status after the crime was committed, their recovery and return to normalcy.
The study also found that crime against women is more visible among backward castes and SC/ST families, and 47.27% of the victims are from financially backward homes. "Income of the accused and crimes against women are correlated. Lesser the income, more the hatred towards the women in the family," stated the study that blamed poverty and alcoholism as the main causes for such crimes.
Thiruvananthapuram: At a time when governments are trying to provide more safety, freedom, respect and equality for women, various causes for crimes against women listed out in a study report prepared by the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi for the Kerala police are clearly anti-women and regressive.
The study carried out by the prestigious institute for State Police cites economic independence of women, women responding to crimes against them, dressing pattern, use of mobile phones by young girls and boys, cutting boundaries of male- female relationships and unawareness from the part of women of their position, are the causes of growing crimes against women, apart from other 50-odd disputable reasons.
The report 'Women Victims of Crimes in Kerala 2012-13' was prepared by Dr L Thara Bhai, research coordinator of the institute. State police chief K S Balasubramanian received the study report at the police headquarters on Thursday. According to the report, the office of the Kerala State Police Chief took the initiative to conduct a study on women victims of crimes in the state during 2012-13 with the help of the institute.
It is claimed in the submitted report that the 'prescriptive study aimed to find causes and tried to find solutions either from the public, or from the social workers or from the police officers or from the victim themselves and 'gathered information regarding the victims' status after the crime was committed on them and the long process of coming back to normalcy'.
The study also finds that crime on women is more seen among the backward castes and SC/ST families. Majority (47.27%) of the victims have are financially backward homes. 'Income of the accused and the crime on women are correlated. Lesser the income more the hatred to the women in the family,' according to the study that finds poverty coupled with alcoholism as the root causes for crimes in the study.
The data for the study were collected from 181 victims, 197 police officers, 40 social workers and 44 general public coming to a total sample size of 462.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-01/thiruvananthapuram/40960516_1_women-victims-social-sciences-crimes 

Youth jumps from 5th floor of court buildin

KANPUR: A youth jumped from the fifth floor of the multi-storey building of Kanpur Nagar on Saturday. He was immediately rushed to the UHM Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. He was later identified as Anuj Kumar Gupta.
A suicide note was recovered from the body, wherein Anuj had accused his wife and in-laws of harassment. In the suicide note, Anuj, who had a grocery shop at Canal Road, said that on June 16, his wife had shifted to her parents' house along with all valuables and cash worth Rs 1 lakh.

At that time, he was in his shop. After coming to know of the incident, he contacted his in-laws but was abused and threatened of dire consequences. The in-laws demanded that he provide a space in his shop for his brother-in-law to run a business.
Anuj further wrote that he had submitted a complaint with the police and a copy of it to the SSP. However, the police took no action. In the letter, Anuj also accused his father-in-law of physical exploitation.
On Saturday, Anuj had rushed to the court to meet his counsel after receiving a call.
However, after failing to locate the counsel, he climbed to the fifth floor and jumped from there. The police informed his elder brother Amit Gupta of the incident.
After reaching the court premises, Amit told police that Anuj was in his shop till 11 am. After receiving a call, he rushed to the Birhana Road. Amit also said that he repeatedly tried to contact Anuj but his mobile was switched off.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-04/kanpur/41057180_1_court-building-suicide-note-grocery-shop

न्यायालय भवन से कूद युवक ने दी जान

न्यायालय भवन से कूद युवक ने दी जान

कानपुर, हमारे संवाददाता: ससुराल वालों की प्रताड़ना से पीड़ित युवक ने न्यायालय भवन की पांचवी मंजिल से कूदकर जान दे दी। तलाशी के दौरान जेब से मिले सुसाइड नोट में उसने इसका जिक्र किया है। ससुराल वालों के खिलाफ उसने एसएसपी से गुहार भी लगाई थी।
न्यायालय भवन में शनिवार अपराह्न डेढ़ बजे एक युवक के पांचवी मंजिल से छलांग लगाने के बाद हड़कंप मच गया। सूचना पर कचहरी चौकी इंचार्ज अखिलेश गौड़ मौके पर पहुंचे और युवक को उर्सला ले गए जहां डाक्टरों ने उसे मृत घोषित कर दिया। तलाशी के दौरान मृतक की जेब से एक प्रार्थना पत्र व एक समाचार पत्र का आईकार्ड मिला। प्रार्थना पत्र के पीछे मृतक ने सुसाइड नोट भी लिखा था। पुलिस ने प्रार्थना पत्र पर लिखे पते पर सूचना दी तो फीलखाना निवासी अमित गुप्ता ने मौके पर पहुंचकर मृतक की शिनाख्त छोटे भाई अनुज गुप्ता के रूप में की। अमित के मुताबिक अनुज कैनाल रोड स्थित अपनी दुकान में थे। पूर्वाह्न 11 बजे एक फोन आया जिसके बाद वह बिरहाना रोड जाने की बात कहकर चले गए। अपराह्न 1:30 बजे पुलिस ने घटना की जानकारी दी।
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ससुराल वालों से था प्रताड़ित
बड़े भाई अमित के मुताबिक अनुज की शादी चार साल पहले इटावा बाजार की प्रगति संग इस शर्त पर हुई थी कि वह उसे लेकर परिवार से अलग रहेगा। प्रगति विदा होने के बाद ससुराल न आकर किराए के घर में रहने गई थी। परिवार से अलग रहने के कारण अनुज पर ससुराल वालों का दबाव था। वह अक्सर उसके साथ मारपीट करते थे। इस बात का जिक्र अनुज ने 22 जून को एसएसपी को दिए प्रार्थना पत्र में भी किया था। पत्र के मुताबिक 16 जून को उसकी गैर मौजूदगी में ससुर राम बिहारी, सास शीला, साढू़ प्रशांत कई लोगों के साथ घर आए थे। एक लाख नकद व सोने के गहनों के साथ पत्नी को लेकर चले गए थे। उसने ससुराल वालों से संपर्क किया तो उन्होंने जान से मारने की धमकी देते हुए कहा कि जब तक अपनी दुकान में साढ़ू को जगह नहीं दोगे तब तक न तो सामान वापस होगा और न ही पत्‍‌नी आएगी।
ससुर पर लगाया गंभीर आरोप
तलाशी में अनुज के पास पुलिस को जो प्रार्थना पत्र मिला, उसी के पीछे सुसाइड नोट लिखा है। इसमें ससुर पर जबरन अप्राकृतिक यौन संबंध बनाने का आरोप लगाया गया है। आरोप है कि ससुर इस बात पर ब्लैकमेल करने के साथ दुकान हड़पना चाहते थे।
दी थी मुकदमे की अर्जी
ससुराल वालों की प्रताड़ना से परेशान अनुज ने सीआरपीसी की धारा 156(3) के तहत पत्‍‌नी व ससुराल पक्ष के खिलाफ मुकदमे की अर्जी दी थी। इसमें फीलखाना पुलिस ने अपनी रिपोर्ट भी लगा दी है। अधिवक्ता शैलेंद्र चौरसिया के मुताबिक उन्होंने एक मुकदमा मीडिएशन सेंटर में भी दाखिल किया था। उधर, पत्नी के दहेज प्रार्थना पत्र पर मध्यस्थता एवं सुलह समझौता केंद्र में दोनों के बीच एक बार बात भी हो चुकी थी।

http://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/kanpur-city-10619157.html 

Safe house for battered men

Safe house for battered men

India’s first domestic violence shelter for men opens its doors in Bangalore. Here’s one harassed husband’s story from inside the shelter. Francis Steven Dokka reports

For three months, a barely-furnished two-bedroom apartment on Bannerghatta Main Road was "heaven" for Prithvi (31). The apartment is a good advert for 'bare and minimum'--bean bags and plastic chairs in the living room; mats and bedsheets for bedding and a kitchen that has nothing more than essentials --a fridge, gas stove, some plates and glasses, and filtered water cans. The place is bereft of anything that usually makes a cold house a warm home. But for many harassed husbands this has been 'heaven' when their own homes turned hellish. Welcome to India's first domestic violence shelter for men.

 

The shelter was started on April 19 this year by Confidare Consultancy, a Bangalore-based men’s rights organisation founded by techies Anil Kumar, Virag Dhulia, Pandurang Katti and Mithun Kumar. These names are well-known in India’s men’s rights movement. They have made representations before the Indian Parliament and the US Senate. The safe haven for men operates out of an apartment owned by one of the founders and is an offshoot of the Men's Rights Community Center run by Confidare in Koramangala. Anil says, “Actually, the defining moment to start the shelter came many years ago when we started helplines for men facing domestic violence. The domestic violence shelter was just a logical extension of the helplines. Abused men are often coached by us to leave the abusive spaces (their homes) and go to paying guest or shared accommodations. Sometimes, we temporarily accommodate these abused men in our own houses for a few days. Declaring a complete house as a domestic violence shelter became the next logical step. It is not natural for men to run away from homes if they face abuse, because somehow society considers it unmanly, if a man runs away. Please note, we do not advise men to file for divorce. We suggest that they move to some other location to get some peace and recover.”

 

 

How Prithvi landed in the shelter is part of a bigger marital story — similar to ones being played out across India. Prithvi, a native of Hyderabad, was working at an IT firm in Bangalore, when he married a BTech graduate from West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh four years ago. Soon, their marriage hit rough weather. Prithvi says, “My wife was treating me like an ATM. She began to frequently make outrageous demands that I buy her jewellery, take her to restaurants and movies. She didn’t understand that a family cannot afford to splurge all the time. When I didn’t meet her demands, she began complaining to her parents.” 

 

“Before we tied the knot, she promised to work after marriage to meet family expenses as Bangalore is a costly city. But after marriage, she did a U-turn. She refused to work. She began to taunt me with 'Can’t you feed your wife? Do you want your wife to earn and feed you?' queries. She wanted to stay at home and enjoy life. Another major disagreement was having kids. I wanted to have children but she wanted to wait.” 

 

Last October, their marital problems reached boiling point. “Our arguments aggravated. She left me and went to her parents. I requested her to return many times but she declined. Finally, I went to her parents’ house to ask her to come home. She told me she would return only if I signed half of my property in her name or give her Rs 15 lakh as financial guarantee. I flatly rejected her conditions. She hit back by filing a criminal case against me under the Domestic Violence Act alleging that I had harassed her for dowry. In addition, she filed a case seeking maintenance from me. Both the cases were filed in AP just to harass me. She then mailed FIR copies to my employer and even sent a telegram to my work place to portray me as a criminal. Thanks to her, I lost my job. With cops chasing me and unemployed, I became depressed. I even thought of suicide. That’s when I got in touch with Confidare Consultancy and became its member.” 

 

Prithvi landed at the shelter in April with two bags of clothes, some books, and almost broke. “I was once making Rs 50,000 a month and lived in a good house in Indiranagar paying Rs 12,000 as rent. Now, I couldn’t afford to rent a place. I needed a place my wife could not trace because I had to protect myself. I was fortunate to find this sanctuary. Considering my financial condition, Confidare even waived the fee.” Confidare charges a person Rs 150 per day to stay at the shelter. Inmates must make their own arrangements for food. No deposit is taken. Pandurang Katti, care-taker of the shelter, says, “This facility operates on trust. Those wanting to stay here must be members for at least six months and should gain our trust.” Pandurang emphasises it is not a “paying guest” facility.

 

At Confidare, Prithvi was given legal advice, apprised of his rights as a man and coached how to defend himself in court. “I also received moral support there,” says Prithvi. The safe house can shelter four men at any given time. Katti says: “As of now, we are not equipped enough if men flood the place. That’s why we don’t want to publicise its address.We do not have the bandwidth to run it on a 24/7 basis.” 

 

How does Confidare ensure that it doesn’t end up accommodating at the shelter men who have committed crimes against women? Virag says, “We don’t judge anyone. The courts are there to judge who is innocent or guilty. We only support to those who approach us. Generally, men who have committed crimes do not approach us. Such people need not approach us.The center’s aim is to help provide men temporary stay so that they can stabilise themselves.”

 

At the shelter, Prithvi slowly began to pick up the pieces of his broken life. “When I came to the safe house, I was vulnerable and on the verge of losing my mind. However, at the shelter I got back peace of mind. I began to think of my future course of action and started looking for a job.” 

 

At the shelter Prithvi would wake up at 7 am, sweep the apartment and make breakfast. At 10 am, he would study law books for a couple of hours. He would then head out for lunch. Post lunch, he would either take a nap or go to an internet centre to apply for jobs. Evening, would again be study time followed by dinner and sleep. He quips, “It was good to get some sleep after many sleepless nights.” 

 

The routine changed when new inmates arrived. He would interact with them a lot and listen to their stories. “It helped to meet other men like me there. Some of their stories were way worse than mine.” During weekends, he used to volunteer at Confidare’s community centre in Koramangala and counsel other men.

 

The stay at the shelter was also a humbling experience for Prithvi. “I once lived very well. Here I was having lunch and dinner at roadside eateries. I was living on money given by my retired parents, relatives and friends.” 

 

Anil says, “So far, six guys have stayed in the shelter, while about 30 approached us to use the facility.” Anil is already thinking of what will follow the shelter. “As it is certain that a lot of men may not marry due to ever increasing complicated laws of marriage and the high costs involved, the next logical step is to create hostels and old age assisted-living facilities for such men, which can provide them some security at old age. All this is part of a budding global men's movement called MGTOW (Men Going Their Own Way), where men may not really seek committed female companionship or even children, but rather prefer a peaceful or even monk like existence enriching their lives.” 

 

Meanwhile, Prithvi’s job hunt has paid off. He moved out of the shelter last week after he was hired by an IT firm in a city in South India. He does not see any chance of reconciliation with his wife. He wants to fight out all the cases filed by his wife. He says, “My priority is to live peacefully and contribute something to society.” That’s a big change in a man who entered the domestic violence shelter three months ago contemplating suicide.

Community of confidants
Confidare Consultancy offers help for husbands physically or verbally abused, or facing threats from their wives or in-laws. Its clientele includes men facing police complaints and court cases related to marital issues. It offers members coaching and education to be peaceful and fight court cases effectively. Men seeking help from Confidare are required to become members by paying a fee – Rs 2,500 for six months and Rs 4,500 for one year. Membership is also open to NRIs. Confidare also runs a Men’s Rights Community Center in Koramangala. The center offers members access to basic law books, legal citations, reference material, and videos related to laws and men’s rights.Anil says, “Our support group meetings are like Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, where men feel peaceful and free in spite of abuse and threats they face.” At one point of time, a majority of Confidare’s members were techies. Virag says, “Now, we have members from all strata of the society because men are being abused irrespective of their position in society. We have members who are auto drivers and bank attenders.“Helpline: 9008302822

 

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=81&contentid=20120729201207291638434341b463fa7 

Live-in relationships breaking up at a rapid rate in Bangalore

Live-in relationships breaking up at a rapid rate in Bangalore

BANGALORE: This technology hub is witnessing a sharp rise in cases of discord in live-in relationships. Most cases reported are those of people working in the software and BPO industries.

"The number of cases of break-up in live-in relationships was 30 during 2011-12. This rose to 42 between April 2012 and March 2013. With an average of six cases reported every month, the number is expected to double this year," says Rani Shetty, chief coordinator with Mahila Sahaya Vani, a family counselling centre attached to city police.

For convenience

Most live-in couples are in the 25-35 age group. To get accommodation, they declare themselves a married couple. Counsellors say such relationships are for financial and social security. Things fall apart when the boy refuses to tie the knot.

Most live-in couples are from outside Karnataka. They find it convenient to live with someone from their own place. Things fall apart when the boy refuses to marry the girl. Only one case — that of Keshava and Arundhati (names changed) — was different. They lived together and had three children. The kids' school records and passports have the name of Keshava as father. But the marriage had not been solemnized as Keshava's parents refused to part with their property if he married Arundhati, says BS Saraswathi, senior counsellor.

To get a house on rent, live-in couples tell landlords they are married. "They live like husband and wife, but their relationship has no legal sanction. When there is a break-up, we refer it to police as a case of cheating," says Aparna Poonesh, a counsellor at the Sahaya Vani. "It's for social and financial security. Nearly 60% of the cases referred to us revolve around sex," says Shetty. Most cases brought to the Sahaya Vani are from the corporate world. "They get to know each other mostly through social media, and share the same language and culture. With their peer groups away, they have individual choices and freedom," she adds.

"Youngsters should be made aware of the problems of living together," says Shetty. "As the relationship doesn't have legal sanction, they need to be careful. Most cases brought to our notice are of women complaining that the men they had lived with refused to marry them."

Marriage dream shattered

Runa (name changed), 27, an employee of a software multinational in the US, was attracted to Bangalore while chatting online with Biswajit (name changed).

As the friendship grew, Biswajit, 30, invited her to the city and promised to find her a job. She quit her job and flew to Bangalore three years ago. After living at a paying guest accommodation for a while, she joined Biswajit, who had taken a house on rent declaring himself and Runa husband and wife.

Runa landed a job. Things went smoothly till Biswajit's parents starting asking him to get married.

One day, Biswajit suddenly disappeared. Runa learnt that he had gone to look for a bride.

On his return, they had an argument. Biswajit manhandled Runa, leading her to the Sahaya Vani. A case of cheating was registered after Biswajit refused, at the counselling sessions, to marry Runa.

Once having hoped the relationship would eventually lead to marriage, Runa is inconsolable today.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Live-in-relationships-breaking-up-at-a-rapid-rate-in-Bangalore/articleshow/21612535.cms 

Mother of two elopes with 16-year-old

Mother of two elopes with 16-year-old

SURAT: A 30-year-old woman, mother of two children, eloped with a 16-year-old boy in Kalvada village of Valsad district around 10 days ago and returned as they had no money.

The woman took the teenager to Kalol and Ahmedabad along with her two kids. They stayed at these locations for 10 day and returned when they ran out of money.

According to reports, family of the minor boy contacted police since the boy was missing. However, the family came to know about a woman missing from neighbouring residence. Later, families of both the teenage boy and the woman started searching.

The woman had eloped with the boy with cash Rs 10,000. The boy returned home on Friday and described the entire incident to his parents. He informed his parents that he was in relationship with the woman since last few months.

The woman did not return home and went to her parent's residence along with her two children. She got married to a man, who works with Gundlav GIDC, around 10 years ago.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Mother-of-two-elopes-with-16-year-old/articleshow/21616881.cms