Just a month ago, a 28-year-old youth and his 61-year-old handicapped father were lodged in Arthur Road jail after a woman filed a case of dowry harassment and domestic violence. However, after the SC order, men's rights activists are rejoicing and have demanded proper implementation of the order.
Every week, a group of men's rights activists called Vastav Foundation meets to give emotional support to male victims of dowry harassment cases. Swapnil Talekar, a resident of Mahalaxmi, along with his father, Arun Talekar, a handicapped retired person, was released on bail from Arthur Road jail on June 19 after his wife registered false complaint at Agripada police station, after just 2 months of marriage.
"We were lodged in the jail for 8 days and my father suffered the most. Though the order from SC came after my release, I feel that the order will bring relief to men who have been harassed in false cases, though the major part is that its implementation should be done properly," said Swapnil Talekar.
Kandivali resident Nimesh Gandhi, 31, was arrested under IPC sections 498A (dowry harassment), 323 (causing grievous hurt) and his ailing mother spent 2 days in jail, but was acquitted later.
"We got the acquittal as the matter was settled and if my wife proceeded, she would have lost the case as the matter was based on serious allegations," said Nimesh Gandhi.
Similarly, Kumar Taranand Zha, 35, a marketing manager with a crockery firm, was arrested with his family at Mira Road, after his wife pressed charges against him of dowry and harassment, but was acquitted by the Thane court, calling the case false and baseless.
"The court acquitted me of all charges relating to dowry harassment and called the allegations baseless and false," said Zha.
"The statistics clearly say that the arrests due to mere allegations, is harassment. Most of the cases are lodged in city police stations as it is used as a tool to harass family members of the husband, while the law, which was made to protect the interest of women, was ironically used to send a woman to jail in the form of the accused's sister and mother," said Amit Deshpande, a men's rights activist.
