Indian expats welcome govt move on marriage registration for NRIs

abu dhabi — In a bid to protect Indian women from exploitation by NRI husbands, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has introduced the ‘Bill on Registration of Marriage of NRIs in the Upper House of Parliament’.

The new bill proposes mandatory registration within 30 days of marriage held in India or abroad. The ministry hopes this move will provide better enforcement of rights for abandoned women under the family laws. Also, there are amendments proposed to the Passports Act 1967 and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, whereby if the marriage isn’t registered within 30 days, the passport of the NRI will be revoked, and summons and warrant will be issued. Despite all this, if the NRI fails to appear in court, his properties will be attached and he will be declared ‘proclaimed offender’.

Social activists lauded the move, which will restrict NRI husbands from using marriage as a tool of exploitation and making money.

Abu Dhabi-based activist Ayisha Zakkheer Hussain hailed the move to revoke passport of the culprit as ‘a big step forward in the right direction’.

“We see many cases of forged marriage with bogus documents. The ulterior motive is to cheat the woman for money. Since the marriage takes place outside India, there are no records or legal documents for further procedures to be initiated against the offender. So once this bill is passed, such practices will be curbed and this will be a big relief for women here and back in India. This will be a useful weapon in their fight and curtail irregularity to a great extent.”

She said this sort of trend is seen mostly in Europe and the US, and not in the UAE.

“We don’t see such cases here because of stringent rules. None can do fraud and escape from here. These cases are mostly in the US, Canada and European nations where expats enjoy many social privileges and tax benefits, which lead to such frauds. But the minister has directly taken up such cases, and this bill will help create more awareness about the need for the registration of marriage.”

Another activist, Vidyadharan Ereuthinad, said: “Women from many states of India end up being victims. Actually, there are many from other countries, too. In most of the cases, women are cheated. They are exploited, abused and even forced into flesh trade. Once this bill becomes law, it will help end such exploitation. It would be better if there is a greater role for Indian missions in this aspect of registration of marriages. Also, the local authorities should take stringent steps to curb such practices,” Ereuthinad added.