New marriage law and its possible effects on Indian men

 New marriage law and its possible effects on Indian men

Are we heading towards another feminist law like the 498A (Law against Dowry) whose rampant misuse has led Supreme Court to declare it as 'legal terrorism'? Sure enough women have been discriminated against, been tortured and suffered from times immemorial but does that justify the fact that some of the major laws in our country taking a highly feminist turn? The misuse of harassment laws has increased by 20 percent cited Times of India on 16th April 2013. One can only imagine what the numbers will be after the High Court ruling that declares premarital consensual sex equivalent to marriage.

When two people decide to be indulging in a physical relationship, it is their duty to be sure of what it means to both of them. It's imperative for them to be on the same page and know whether it's casual or an act of committing to each other for all their lives. It's a personal matter that should be handled well at that level without any melodrama and court intervention.

With the new law, it seems that every relationship gone wrong and any woman with frustration can go to the court and ask the man for the compensation for all lifelong. Imagine happy marriages turning sour with women and men from past relationships claim that they were married first because of the physical act they shared. For women of low earning capacities, cases of fraudulence to use such laws to their benefits to seek compensation are not rare. It's sad that laws that are made for women's safety are becoming threat to innocent men while the men who are really guilty of heinous crimes like rape are still on the loose with numbers increasing every day.

Talking about this one may get reminded of the recent case of Manoj Kumar's suicide due to the harassment by his wife and mother-in-law and threats of getting him jailed under a false 498A (dowry). After this event, Save Indian Family Foundation set up to address grievances of such victims and within about 3 months, more than 500 cases have been registered. Such pitiable is the state of men with the laws regarding dowry and domestic violence.

This new declaration which regards premarital sex as marriage has a lot more negative sides than the what the people are looking at right now and the less talked about subject of harassment of men is one of them. Noted Tamil writer Jayamohan called it is a conservative ruling, since it has taken into consideration only the sufferings of women and not men, especially at a time when premarital sex is very common among the economically independent. "The judgment is right in the sense that the object of all our laws is to protect the interest of the women," he said.

This law diminishes the strong bond of marriage that is much celebrated and respected in India to just a physical bond. It's detrimental for India which after declaration of this law remains stuck between the western influence that makes premarital sex no big deal and Indian laws that bind you with the person with the threads of matrimony.

http://www.coolage.in/2013/06/22/new-marriage-law-and-its-possible-effects-on-indian-men/

Half of Mumbai's suicide victims below age 30

Half of Mumbai's suicide victims below age 30

Suicides in Mumbai rose by an alarming 12% in 2012 after witnessing a dip the previous year. A staggering 50% of those who took their lives in the city were younger than 30 and among these more than half were women, reveals the latest data of the National Crime Records Bureau.

A total of 1,296 people killed themselves in the financial capital last year, placing it fourth in the list of Indian cities with the highest suicide incidence. Chennai led the death chart with 2,183 suicides, followed by Bangalore (1,989) and Delhi (1,397).

The national suicide rate (total suicides per lakh population) stood at 11.4 in 2012, a few points higher than Mumbai's 7 and a few points lower than Maharashtra's 14.

Generally, men accounted for more suicide deaths than women. The trend was true in Mumbai, where 59% of the suicide victims were men, and in Maharashtra, where 70% of the victims were males. Nationally too, the ratio of male to female suicide victims was 66.2 to 33.8. An exception to the trend was the age group of up to 14 years; in Mumbai, thrice the number of girls in this age bracket killed themselves than boys.

Dr Lakshmi Vijaykumar, who was responsible for the inclusion of suicide prevention in the National Mental Health Policy of India, said there is wide variation in suicide rates within the country. "The southern states of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have a suicide rate of more than 15, while in the northern states of Punjab, UP, Bihar and Kashmir, the suicide rate is less than 3. This pattern has been stable for the last twenty years."

Vijaykumar added that smaller cities are worryingly catching up with metros in recording high suicide rates. "Also, the fact that 71% of suicides in India are by persons below the age of 44 imposes a huge social, emotional and economic burden on our society."

Family problems were revealed in the NCRB data to be the single largest factor driving people to end their lives. The factor was given as the cause of 40% suicides-264 men and 262 women-in Mumbai and 26% suicides across the country. Major illnesses, such as cancer and AIDS, taken together constituted the second biggest suicide cause-causing 28% of the deaths-in Mumbai. They were followed by drug addiction (6.9%), failure in exam (4.5%) and love affairs (4.5%). Boys and girls alike took their lives over love affairs.

Emotional reasons like failed marriage, relationship and love affairs drove most of the 534 female suicides in Mumbai. By contrast, the causes of the 762 male suicides were economic, relating to poverty and employment.

Hanging emerged to be the most employed method to end one's life, with 917 of the 1,296 victims in the city using it. In Maharashtra, 7,055 people killed themselves this way. Self-immolation was the second most common suicide method in Mumbai and consuming poison the third. Surprisingly, only one person committed suicide in the city by coming under the train, though the figure for the category was 128 in the state. 

 

 

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Half-of-Mumbais-suicide-victims-below-age-30/articleshow/20753470.cms?intenttarget=no 

Dowry cases a money spinner, claims top cop

Dowry cases a money spinner, claims top cop

Is there a well-knit network to dupe those involved in dowry cases? Yes, says the deputy commissioner of police Dr Tarun Joshi.

Hyderabad: For some, dowry cases are a god-sent opportunity to mint money. They go by the high-sounding names of counselling or human rights, warn DCP Dr Tarun Joshi

Is there a well-knit network to mulct those involved in dowry cases? Yes, says Joshi. Not just that, many masquerading as women mandals and human rights organisations are indeed making hay while the sun shines.

The revelation came out at a workshop the DCP conducted to highlight the disturbing issues involved in dowry-related crime cases on Saturday. He said a lot of cases come from the Old City areas and those who get caught are being trapped by spurious mahila mandal committees or fake human rights activists. Since dowry cases are strong and legal help essential, some unscrupulous take advantage of the unwary people.

Joshi warned them. “I have issued orders to all the police stations to collect details of these fake organisations making profit from human misery. They charge exorbitant rates from the victims and relatives.” He also said he had information of a wife of a senior police officer too involved in this shady business. He told people that free legal aid was available to the poor women and those getting caught in this law, if they chose, should go for reputed lawyers, not the suspected organisations with high-sounding names. He welcomed aggrieved public to his office in Purani Haveli if they feel confused or are getting cheated by shady characters.

The workshop was attended by a large number of women. Dr Joshi expressed concern at the growing cases of dowry-related crimes. He said community leaders should take initiative to sort out differences between husband and wife that if left unchecked leads to complications. It is true that many are unaware that both giving and taking dowry is illegal. Besides, it is inhuman to force poor parents to cough up cash.

A notable presence at the meeting was Wakf board chairman Moulana Syed Ghulam Afzal and religious leaders. They too advised parents to desist from giving dowry and demanding dowry.

http://postnoon.com/2013/06/24/dowry-cases-a-money-spinner-claims-top-cop/131948 

Wake up to the woes of sexually harassed men!

Wake up to the woes of sexually harassed men!

All those feminists, who had been screaming over the male atrocities, were shocked into silence reading the recent reports wherein a 42-year-old married woman Veera Kalra, a manager at a ready-made garments store, was booked for sexually harassing her 25-year-old employee Rahul Khandare. Rahul had recently committed suicide and left a five-page note, blaming Veera for sexually harassing him and being the main cause behind his frustration. And this is not a case in isolation. There are other cases, which have similar undertones. TOI tracks the phenomenon...

Case 1: Disha Chauhan (name changed), a 25-year-old girl working for a multinational herbal products company in the city, lured her new male colleague into a sexual relationship. After luring him into the relationship, she started urging him on to help her with getting more business and greater sales numbers, says our source from the police. He obliged and soon the girl proposed marriage to the lad. When he agreed to that as well, she told him to help in increasing her sales incentive from 35% to 50%. The guy invested heavily, bought the products in large numbers and even diverted many of his own clients to her. The girl achieved her target, married her senior and dumped the guy! Totally shocked, the guy initially went into acute depression, adds the source. Later, he finally gathered the courage to file a case at the Ajni Police Station for cheating and sexual harassment.

Case 2: Rachna Bise (name changed), a 21-year-old married woman, charged her maternal uncle with attempt to rape, after she went absconding with a male friend of hers and was found by the cops, whereas the uncle's family has lodged a case of sexual harassment against her.

Male harassment is a reality
A senior cop (requesting anonymity) says: "Cases regarding women's sexual harassment and molestation are reported in large numbers, but sexual harassment of men is also a reality. We get many complaints these days of this nature, but most of the times, the guys refrain from filing the FIR. Hence, the number of cases reported remains very less."

Victims suffer psychologically
It's a myth that sexual exploitation hurts women alone and men remain unscathed, says Investigating Officer R G Rajulwar, who is handling Disha Chauhan case. He adds, "In this particular case, the boy, who was exploited and later dumped by her, became a complete recluse and even contemplated suicide. It was the never ending support of his family and friends that made him come out of his shell. So, it is no longer true that exploitation happens on one particular sex alone."

Butt of myriad jokes
The sad part is that while the psychological trauma faced by the sexually harassed people of both the sexes remains equal, the men who report such cases, have to face public ridicule. "When a girl files a case of sexual harassment, she gets people's sympathy, but when a guy files such a complaint, he becomes the butt of myriad jokes. That is why even when they are being exploited blatantly by certain women, they prefer to bear it in silence, or may take an extreme step like Rahul Khandare, who committed suicide," said another senior cop, on the condition of anonymity.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/Wake-up-to-the-woes-of-sexually-harassed-men/articleshow/20716412.cms 

Can marriage be the only licence for sex?

Can marriage be the only licence for sex?

NEW DELHI: The recent Madras High Court judgment refusing to allow a man to slink away from marital responsibilities after fathering two children during a prolonged live-in relationship with a woman is a welcome decision.

The HC order, authored by Justice C S Karnan, was in sync with the Supreme Court's consistent ruling that absence of proof of marriage, as it happens in live-in relationships, could never be a reason for a man to absolve himself of marital consequences which arise after living long with a woman under one roof.

In S P S Balasubramanyam vs Sruttayan [AIR 1992 SC 756], the apex court had said, "If a man and a woman are living under the same roof and cohabiting for a number of years, there will be presumption under Section 114 of the Evidence Act that they live as husband and wife and the children born to them will not be illegitimate."

While doing justice to the woman, Justice Karnan followed the SC's footsteps to say, "It is not disputed that the petitioner has been a spinster before she gave birth and that the respondent was a bachelor before developing sexual relationship with the petitioner. Both of them led their marital life under the same shelter and begot two children. Therefore, the petitioner's rank has been elevated as the 'wife' of the respondent and likewise, the respondent's rank has been elevated as the 'husband' of the petitioner."

This is perfectly logical. But what Justice Karnan dished out as 'obiter dicta' (incidental remarks by a judge not necessarily connected to the decision in the case) was rather unnecessary.

While recognizing the freedom of choice available to adults, Justice Karnan said, "If any couple chooses to consummate their sexual cravings, then that act becomes a total commitment with adherence to all consequences that may follow, except on certain exceptional circumstances."

So if a boy of 21 years and a 18-year-old girl decide to "consummate their sexual cravings", then either of them could go to the nearest family court with proof of their sexual act and claim to be married to the other, the HC said.

Is marriage a magnetic tape that gets activated by sex to tie the partners in matrimony the moment they consummate their cravings? Should sex inevitably lead to marriage? Or, is marriage the only licence for sex?

The HC also said if any of a man or a woman after a one-night stand wants to end this forced marriage, then the only option is to move court with a divorce petition, which would take at least a decade to get decided unless there is mutual consent.

This is what the judge intended in his obiter dicta when he said "legal rights applicable to normal wedded couples will also be available to couples who have had sexual relationships which are established".

To deny a man to walk a way from a long-standing live-in relationship is one thing, but to say that even one-night stands would tie a young boy or girl in marriage is something unheard of. Importantly, the Supreme Court disapproved it.

In its October 21, 2010 judgment in D Velusamy vs D Patchaiammal, the SC had discussed in some length the growing phenomenon of live-in relationships in the urban areas of India.

It had come to the conclusion that it would be unfortunate to declare two youngsters to be man and wife just for a one-night stand. It said live-in relationships or 'relationships in the nature of marriage" must have following ingredients:

* The couple must hold themselves out to society as being akin to spouses

* They must be of legal age to marry

* They must be otherwise qualified to enter into a legal marriage, including being unmarried

* They must have voluntarily co-habited and held themselves out to the world as being akin to spouses for significant period of time

The SC bench of Justices Markandey Katju and T S Thakur had said, "Merely spending weekends together or a one-night stand would not make it a 'domestic relationship'."

It added, "In our opinion, not all live-in relationships will amount to a relationship in the nature of marriage to get the benefit under the Domestic Violence Act of 2005. To get such benefit, the conditions mentioned above by us must be satisfied, and this has to be proved by evidence."

Authoring the judgment for the bench, Justice Katju had said, "If a man has a 'keep' whom he maintains financially and uses mainly for sexual purpose and/or as a servant, it would not, in our opinion, be a relationship in the 'nature of marriage'."

With this authoritative order from the Supreme Court, the Madras HC's ruling, which could have sent a chill down the spine of many youth, will mercifully remain obiter dicta and cannot be enforced as law.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Can-marriage-be-the-only-licence-for-sex/articleshow/20735205.cms 

Mamata accuses TV channels of indulging in false propaganda

Mamata accuses TV channels of indulging in false propaganda

Faced with criticism from different quarters over the rise in atrocities against women Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came up with a bizarre defence of the State government on Sunday by asking at a public rally: “Are all women in the State being raped?”

 Addressing an election rally at Minakha in the Basirhat area of the State’s North 24 Parganas district she vented her ire on a section of the electronic media saying that by highlighting atrocities committed on women they were “disrespecting” the people of the State.

 Referring to the rape and murder of a college girl at Kamduni village in the Barasat area of the district Ms. Banerjee said that the incident was “unfortunate” and all the accused were arrested within 24 hours.

 The State government would seek the death penalty for the accused, she reiterated.

  In three recent incidents of rape the State government was able to ensure conviction in a very short period, Ms. Banerjee said, pointing out that in the latest incident at Bamangola in Malda district conviction was ensured within 27 days.

  “This is called good governance,” Ms. Banerjee said.  “If there is any incident of atrocity against women the State government will act,” she said.

  Ms. Banerjee accused certain television channels of furthering the interests of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and said that they were regularly indulging in false propaganda against her government.

  “Has there been any conviction in cases of atrocities against women registered during the regime of the CPI(M) ?” she asked.

  Stating that the Trinamool Congress government made provisions for reservation of 50 per cent seats in the rural bodies for women, Ms. Banerjee said that such an initiative had not been taken elsewhere in the country.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/mamata-accuses-tv-channels-of-indulging-in-false-propaganda/article4843889.ece 

Are all women in Bengal getting raped, asks Mamata

Are all women in Bengal getting raped, asks Mamata

Faced with all-round criticism over the rising instances of crime against women, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday sought to defend her government by counter-posing: "Are all women in the state being raped?"
Addressing a Trinamool Congress rally in North 24-Parganas district's Minakhan, Banerjee vented her ire on a section of media which has been highlighting the crimes against women in the state.
"These channels have colluded with the opposition and are running a smear campaign against the government. By doing so, they are disrespecting the soil of Bengal," said Banerjee who earlier had claimed that a "media house was conniving with the opposition to murder her".
The Trinamool chief has been receiving flak from intellectuals and civil society members after she rebuked villagers who were protesting the brutal gang-rape and murder of a college student in Kamduni village in the district.
In her bid to deride her detractors, Banerjee earlier had said: "They blame me for everything. Now, they are even blaming me for rape. As if it was I who went to rape... only if I were a man."
With the city on Friday bringing out a huge rally in protest atrocities on women, veteran filmmaker Mrinal Sen said the people of West Bengal have given a "fatwa" to Banerjee and her government to mend their ways.
The state recently has been witnessing a spate of alleged rapes and murders. The National Crime Records Bureau has put Bengal at top the country's charts concerning crime against women with as many as 30,942 such incidents reported in the state in 2012.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Are-all-women-in-Bengal-getting-raped-asks-Mamata/Article1-1081231.aspx

Mumbai cops book city RTI activist to cover illegal detention?

Mumbai cops book city RTI activist to cover illegal detention?

NAGPUR: Mumbai police have booked under several charges a Nagpur-based Right to Information (RTI) Act activist after she allegedly protested her ouster from appeal proceedings in Urban Development Department (UDD) last week.

Ankita Shah, 24, who has been made accused in the case, has also filed a cross complaint against UDD principal secretary Shreekant Singh and the police for illegally detaining her at Marine Drive police station. Daughter of grain trader Kamlesh Shah, Ankita has exposed several irregularities in the functioning of different government departments and also flouting of norms in giving sanctions to the big projects using RTI.

"I was taken to police station at exactly 1.53 pm and released at 9.10 pm. The cops did not inform me anything about the action they were taking against me. They were not ready to pay heed to my side of the story and reluctant to receive the complaint I wanted to lodge against the UDD principal secretary as he used police machinery to remove me from his office during appeal," said Ankita. She has been booked for allegedly obstructing a government servant from discharging his duty, criminal trespass, and threatening.

She later filed a RTI application to know what action were taken against her at police station. Ankita said police did not inform her about the offence they were registering against her which she came to know through media. Ankita had gone to intervene in the appeal on June 15 against the cancellation of the lease of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) land on which Pravesh Enterprises had erected a six-storeyed cold storage at Chikhli. The cold storage building had collapsed on January 30 last year killing 18 people and injuring many more.

Apart from the Pravesh Enterprise, Punjab National Bank too was a party to the appeal which was also attended by the NIT officials and others before the UDD principal secretary Singh. Ankita had challenged Singh who wanted the activist to remain out of the proceedings. The UDD officials informed the control room that alerted the Marine Drive police station. Ankita was dragged to Marine Line police station.

Ankita said she had every right to intervene in the appeal hearing. "As a member of the public, I am qualified to intervene into a matter where so many lives were lost and also as victim. My father had faced huge loss due to the collapse. I had accordingly written to Singh," she said.

Deputy commissioner of police, Zone-I, Mumbai, Ravindra Shisve said Ankita was not illegally detained but acted upon as per the legal provision. "We have received the complaint lodged by her too and it is being given for conducting an inquiry," said Shisve. "We had to react after the call from the government office where she was arguing or else we would have faced criticism," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Mumbai-cops-book-city-RTI-activist-to-cover-illegal-detention/articleshow/20707241.cms 

Truth of Suicides in India

Following is the clear cut data which is published by NCRB & big tight slap on Feminists who always claims that Women suicide rate is high. See page 15 of pdf

Suicides in India

Man accused of selling wife to friend

Man accused of selling wife to friend

NEW DELHI: The city police on Friday opposed the anticipatory bail plea of a man, accused of selling his wife to another man who allegedly raped her, before the Delhi high court claiming that it has evidence against him and he is not entitled to bail.

Filing a status report before a vacation bench of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Public Prosecutor Navin Sharma submitted that during the preliminary investigation, the rape accused has disclosed that he had paid money for the woman and the husband had received the amount saying that the woman is a divorcee.

The lawyer also argued the allegations are serious against the man(husband) and the court should not grant bail to him.

After taking the police status report on record, Justice Sachdeva adjourned the matter for July 2 and said " till then no interim relief to the petitioner."

The court was hearing the husband's plea which challenged the lower court's order rejecting his plea for anticipatory bail in a case of rape, illegal confinement and criminal intimidation.

The case was lodged by the wife against the man, to whom she was allegedly sold, and her husband and in-laws for their alleged role in it.

The FIR was registered with Hari Nagar police station by the woman against the man who raped her and also the husband for the alleged conspiracy as they were not on good terms for the past several months.

The petitioner's counsel contended the woman was misusing the police and law.  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Man-accused-of-selling-wife-to-friend/articleshow/20702133.cms 

सास-बहू सीरियलों की हिरोइनें सेक्स रैकेट में गिरफ्तार

सास-बहू सीरियलों की हिरोइनें सेक्स रैकेट में गिरफ्तार

मुंबई।। मुंबई पुलिस ने गुरुवार देर रात एक हाई प्रोफाइल सेक्स रैकेट का पर्दाफाश किया है। लोखंडवाला में एक आईएएस अधिकारी के घर से छापा मारकर 5 मॉडल-ऐक्ट्रेस और उनके दलाल को सेक्स रैकेट में शामिल होने के आधार पर गिरफ्तार किया है। जो 5 हाई प्रोफाइल कॉल गर्ल्स पुलिस के हत्थे चढ़ी हैं, वे टीवी इंडस्ट्री के साथ-साथ भोजपुरी फिल्मों में भी काम कर चुकी हैं। फिलहाल इस मामले में आगे की जांच जारी है।

पुलिस ने इस पूरे मामले में बड़े ही सुनियोजित तरीके से कार्रवाई की है। शुरुआती तफ्तीश में पता चला है कि मामला काफी संगीन है। पहले पुलिस की जानकारी में यह मामला सामने आया। इसके बाद पुलिस ने कस्टमर बनकर इस रैकेट के मुख्य दलाल से संपर्क साधा। दलाल का नाम इम्तियाज खान बताया जा रहा है। इम्तियाज ने ही आईएएस अधिकारी श्रुति मंत्री से घर किराए पर लिया हुआ है। लोखंडवाला में जिस अपार्टमेंट से हिरोइनों को गिरफ्तार किया गया है, वहां काफी सारे प्रशासनिक अधिकारी और बॉलिवुड से जुड़े लोग रहते हैं।

ओशिवारा पुलिस को सूचना मिली थी कि अपार्टमेंट से सेक्स रैकेट चलाया जा रहा है। इसके बाद एक नकली कस्टमर भेजा गया। शुरू में दलाल ने एक लाख की मांग की लेकिन बाद 25 हजार रुपए पर बात फाइनल हुई। इसके बाद दलाल ने पुलिस को कस्टमर समझ कर मुंबई के लोखंडवाला में इस फ्लैट पर बुलाया। पहले से जाल बिछा चुकी पुलिस ने 5 ऐक्ट्रेस को गिरफ्तार कर लिया।

http://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/20695367.cms 

Those discussing rape on TV are linked to porn: Mamata Banerjee shocker

Those discussing rape on TV are linked to porn: Mamata Banerjee shocker

Kolkata: A shocker from Mamata Banerjee. The West Bengal Chief Minister has said that guests on local television news channels critical of her are involved in pornography.

Addressing a public rally at Galsi in Burdwan district on Thursday evening, the chief minister tore into local media that is critical of her. Talking about news television talk shows, she said incidents of rape are being discussed on TV by people who claim to be social workers but are actually only running after of money. Some of them are even involved in pornography.

"Every evening, these people have juicy discussions about one or two incidents (of rape). They are insulting the mothers and daughters of Bengal day after day...some broke channels ...whose future is uncertain...they are insulting the people of Bengal, the soul of Bengal," said Ms Banerjee.

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"Children are getting to know about things they should not know about. Who are being called to the channels? Many of them are involved in pornography. They claim to be social workers but they are actually money workers," she added.

Ms Banerjee's statement, inevitably, has triggered a storm of protests from almost every quarter, from politicians to political analysts and members of civil society.

Her statement has also come a day before some sections of civil society are to march on Kolkata's streets to protest a spate of rapes and murders in the state recently, general law and order breakdown and insecurity of women.

Among those expected to take part in the procession are actor Soumitra Chatterjee, filmmaker Mrinal Sen, author-poet Shanko Ghosh and novelist Mahasweta Devi.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/those-discussing-rape-on-tv-are-linked-to-porn-mamata-banerjee-shocker-382325

I am married as I had premarital sex: Poonam Pandey

I am married as I had premarital sex: Poonam Pandey

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/celebs/I-am-married-as-I-had-premarital-sex-Poonam-Pandey/videoshow/20675327.cms

Man accused of raping child let off

Man accused of raping child let off

NEW DELHI: A trial court has acquitted a man accused of raping an eight-year-old girl, observing that elders are "misusing" minors for their own interest by lodging false cases.


Additional sessions judge, Ramesh Kumar, said, "people should not be allowed to lodge false cases. It causes harassment and damages the honour of children".

The judge acquitted northeast Delhi resident, Sabir, by giving him "benefit of doubt". It cannot be ruled out that the minor was tutored, the court said.

According to the prosecution, the incident took place on August 15, 2010, "when the minor was flying a kite on her roof. The accused had asked her to bring tobacco packet for him. He then misbehaved with her and raped her in a room." The accused had threatened the victim not to disclose the incident to anyone.The girl escaped from his clutches by biting his hand, the court said. The girl narrated the incident to her mother who told her husband. They lodged a case against Sabir, the lawyer said.

Sabir, however, told the court that he was implicated in the case because the family wanted to evict his sister from the tenanted premises owned by the girl's father. A false rape case was registered against him because of enmity between the two families, he said. The court said since Sabir's sister had admitted to illegal possession of the shop of the victim's father, false acquisition against Sabir cannot be ruled out. 

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Man-accused-of-raping-child-let-off/articleshow/20691783.cms 

Anticipatory bail of man who raped daughter-in-law rejected

Anticipatory bail of man who raped daughter-in-law rejected

GURGAON: The Punjab and Haryana high court has rejected the anticipatory bail to a man who allegedly raped his daughter-in-law at their Gurgaon residence.

The victim's father had registered an FIR with the Sector 5 police on May 28.

The victim had alleged that her father-in-law used to rape her and no one in the family came to her rescue. She had also alleged that her mother-in-law always sided with her father-in-law when she complained about him. The victim had been living in the Gurgaon house with her husband and in-laws.

According to police, the FIR has been registered and investigations are on. The suspects, however, are yet to be arrested.

The suspects moved an anticipatory bail petition in the high court and during the hearing, the suspects' counsel submitted that they were old and allegation of rape was baseless.

The victim had registered the FIR under Sections 365, 498A and 506. The victim's father had alleged that his daughter was tortured for dowry by the in-laws.

Rejecting the anticipatory bail to the suspects, Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain said, "I am of the considered opinion that it is not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail as the allegations are very serious."

Meanwhile, the local police have still not started tracing the suspects. Asked about the status of the investigation, a senior police officer said: "I am not aware of the high court order. The case has been registered and the investigations are on." http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/Anticipatory-bail-of-man-who-raped-daughter-in-law-rejected/articleshow/20673423.cms 

IrBM in 125 Seconds

Dilli waali pickpockets all glammed up on metro

Dilli waali pickpockets all glammed up on metro

With 91% of the pickpockets nabbed in the Delhi Metro in the last six months being women, beware of even the most 'shareef' looking girl standing beside you while you're busy fighting with a co-passenger for a seat in the Metro.

Think pickpockets, and you imagine a tapori lingering at a public place eyeing his next target. And when it comes to female pickpockets, we're instantly reminded of Shabana Azmi who played one in Amar Akbar Anthony; looking very un-crook-like in a pair of bell-bottoms and a shirt. For all those who're unaware, even now, these harmless looking women are the ones who might steal your wallet in the Metro while you're listening to music on your phone on your way to work.

Not quite pickpocket-like
In the last six months, the CISF, which is responsible for the security of the Delhi Metro, has caught 193 pickpockets. Interestingly, 91% (175) of them are females. According to a senior Metro officer, some of these pickpockets have a very corporate-sector look and they don't look anything like a pickpocket. "Usually, pickpockets are not dressed smartly, and so, one can tell a pickpocket from afar. The typical pickpockets would carry a baby, would be dressed in a sari or salwar-kameez. But recently, we've noticed a new group of pickpockets who dress very smartly. They look like any other dilli ki ladki," said one of the senior security officers of the Delhi Metro. A security guard at Kashmere Gate Metro station, said, "Because of their smart appearance, even if they stand too close to other commuters, nobody suspects them. Aur bheed ka fayda utha ke yeh araam se purse ya wallet nikal leti hain."

They wear jeans or formals: "Jeans-shirt pehanti hain aur dekhne se lagta hai kahin kaam karti hain. Kabhi-kabhi yeh formals mein bhi aati hain," said one of the security guards at Rajeev Chowk station. They are usually active on the Gurgaon line, and especially during rush hour, which is morning and evening.

They carry laptop bags: If you think every laptop-carrying person is either a student or an office-goer, you're mistaken. "This group of pickpockets also carries laptop bags. Ab usmein laptop hota hai ya nahi, yeh toh pata nahi, lekin laptop bag gives them a perfect working-girl look," said a security guard posted at the Central Secretariat station.

They speak fluent English: Another thing that catches most Metro passengers unawares when it comes to these pickpockets is that they speak in English, and that too, fluently. "The typical pickpockets that we know of can't speak English. We recognize them through their activities and their appearance. But these girls speak the language very confidently and can easily be mistaken for a working professional," said the senior CISF Delhi Metro officer.

Why are they gutsy?
According to a CISF official, most of the time, commuters don't file a complaint if their pockets have been picked. In such a case, the pickpockets are freed after just a warning. Says the officer, "The cases of pickpocketing are increasing because they know that the commuters won't go through the trouble of filing a complaint. Therefore, the pickpockets have become fearless. But with the help of Delhi Police, we've released a few photos of the suspects. We monitor them through CCTV cameras and avoid their entry into the Metro."

Pickpocketing to buy fancy gadgets!
A few months ago, a girl pursuing an MBA was arrested for pickpocketing at Delhi Metro stations. She reportedly did this to buy herself expensive gadgets, like cellphones. She had stolen a purse on February 21, and later withdrew `50,000 from an ATM. On March 1 this year, she stole another bag and similarly withdrew `20,000. On the basis of CCTV footage, a trap was laid, and the girl was finally put behind bars.
 

 

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/people/Dilli-waali-pickpockets-all-glammed-up-on-metro/articleshow/20616442.cms 

Now, Shankar Rao in dowry row

Now, Shankar Rao in dowry row

HYDERABAD: Former minister and Secunderabad Cantonment legislator P ShankarRao's daughter-in-law VamsiPriya on Tuesday approached the AP High Court with a writ petition seeking the arrest of her her husband Shashank, father-in-law ShankarRao, mother-in-law VishwaShanti and sister-in-law Sushmita.

Charging them with harassing her and treating her in an inhuman way and the police with inaction, Vamsi Priya sought a direction to the police to act on her complaint forthwith. Earlier, a criminal court directed the accused legislator, his wife, daughter and son to surrender before the police and surrender the passports to avail bail. But that did not happen. Police too did not act because they are scared of acting against a bigwig like Shankar Rao, the petitioner said.

According to the complaint, Shankar Rao's daughter-in-law returned to her parents house after parting ways with her husband and it was only from then the problems for Vamsi Priya started. She sought the immediate arrest of Shankar Rao and his family members. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Now-Shankar-Rao-in-dowry-row/articleshow/20658028.cms 

Man accused of wife's murder acquitted

Man accused of wife's murder acquitted

THANE: A 27-year-old man, accused of murdering his wife, has been acquitted by a court here.

Additional sessions judge A S Waghwase acquitted Siddesh Chandrakant Dalvi last evening, noting in his order that the prosecution had failed to prove the case.

Dalvi's wife Sushmita was found hanging at the couple's house here on August 29, 2011. According to prosecution, Siddesh told police that she had committed suicide and that he took down the body before the police arrived.

But there was blood on her face and scratches on the neck. Post-mortem report said that death was due to strangulation.

According to the police, Sushmita was in love with someone else but could not marry him. Siddesh, who had married her a year ago, suspected her character, which led to the murder.

But the court did not believe the police's version due to lack of evidence. 

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/Man-accused-of-wifes-murder-acquitted/articleshow/20615932.cms 

Row over Madras HC's ruling on live-in relations

Row over Madras HC's ruling on live-in relations

CHENNAI: The Madras high court did not issue a blank cheque when it said on Monday that marriage meant 'consummation of sexual interaction' between a man and woman of marriageable age, with or without the rituals.

Some jurists and lawyers, chiding knee-jerk interpretations of the order, especially on social-networking portals, caution that the high court had not attempted to set down terms for a man-woman relationship outside marriage. Far from that. All it said, in fact, was that after a prolonged relationship as partners, a man or woman cannot relieve himself/herself from its consequences and liabilities, on the ground that it had not been registered or solemnised.

Advocate and matrimonial case specialist T K R Sudha, who is also treasurer of the Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA), said the order was almost in tune with umpteen orders of the Supreme Court and other high courts on the issue of live-in relationships. "Though matrimonial laws have not been amended adequately to accommodate and address the complexities of live-in affairs, there are apex court rulings which are laws of the land till a specific law is enacted. The soul of the judgment is in line with apex court rulings, only words are different," she said.

However, senior advocate and former high court judge, K Chandru said, "Matrimonial issues must be addressed on case-by-case, facts-by-facts and person-by-person basis," although the presumption of marriage is possible in cases of domestic violence cases, which have a specific provision dealing with household and live-in relationships. But in general, he warns against the tendency to make sweeping statements in family matters. Chandru feels the order is likely to be misunderstood by subordinate courts, which might force people into relationships merely because they have had sexual relations.

"Though perfectly all right when read in the context of the case in hand, certain phrases and words in the judgment do disturb me. Terms such as 'sexual consummation', 'sexual gratification' and 'sexual interaction' are not politically correct in this age. While higher judicial forums have adopted a holistic view of the live-in relationship and tried to maintain a fine balance between a usual marriage and an unusual marriage, this verdict tries to draw a black-and-white portrait," said a senior judicial officer.

Badar Sayeed, former additional advocate-general of Tamil Nadu, felt the court had attached too much value to the sexual aspect of a wedding. While agreeing with Justice C S Karnan's ruling that he had to presume that the parties to the case - Aysha and Ozir Hassan - were wife and husband because there was evidence to show they lived together for about five years and had two children during the period, she said the judge's views on primacy of sexual interaction between the couple as obiter dicta have no force of law.




As for the court's suggestion that either party may approach the family court for declaration of their marital rights, activist and advocate Geetha Ramaseshan said this would open a floodgate of litigation in the family court.

Former city public prosecutor of Chennai M Shahjahan said he was tempted to partly agree with the ruling, but wondered how such a view would square with other matrimonial issues such as right to property and separation. "How will the two living together separate and what will be the terms of separation?" he said. "Can the offence of bigamy under Section 494 IPC be invoked if the man or women in a live-in relationship or who had 'consummated' their sexual interaction has another parallel relationship? What about partition and property rights?"

Advocate and former special public prosecutor for the human-rights court V Kannadasan said Justice Karnan's order would squarely apply to the case he had handled alone. "It can never become a law, and be a precedent for all cases concerning live-in relationships or where a man of 21 and woman of 18 had 'consummated' their sexual interaction," he said.

Though it appears to have strengthened the right to choose one's own way of life, Monday's order has clearly added to the already tangled web of matrimonial laws and their interpretations.

 

http://m.timesofindia.com/india/Row-over-Madras-HCs-ruling-on-live-in-relations/articleshow/20657918.cms