498A IN INDIA
The legal system in India considers all complaints filed by women to be genuine by default and hence this law is being used as a weapon to blackmail, extort money from or seek revenge on residents in UK. Some such residents who married in India have been arrested, ill-treated and exploited in the name of dowry laws.
The abuse of this law has hampered the progress of hundreds of such men and their families whose intellectual abilities and professional skills are highly valued all across the globe.
Many such British Indians trapped in false cases have to travel to India, wasting their valuable time, efforts and money to fight these cases and even ending up losing Jobs and even Arrested under “Red Corner Notices” and even sometimes extradited as a Criminal. Due to the shoddy legal system in India, such cases drag for years on end.
Although the Supreme Court of India has labelled it as “legal terrorism” and has suggested altering the law, due to political pressures the law continues to remain as it is and continues to be abused.
Although, there is no foolproof method that one can take to protect oneself and his family members, few proper precautions can be taken.
If a British Indian does wish to get married to a woman from India, there are certain steps he can take as a precaution.
(a) Keep a record of all gifts taken and received during and after marriage (signed by both bride and groom). The list needs to be as per the Dowry Prohibition Act norms in India.
(b) If you are travelling to India, make copies of your passport, visa (if applicable) and all credit cards. Leave these copies with a trusted friend or relative in UK.
(c) Do not give anyone your tickets or passport in India.
(d) Register with the local Foreigners Registration Office upon arrival in India and let them know your expected date of departure.
(e) Inform the British Consulate and/or Embassy in India about your travel plans.
(f) If you suspect that you may be a victim of this abuse, inform the British Consulate and/or Embassy in India and finally (g) Although not legally valid in India; consider a prenuptial agreement.
A support group has been formed in the UK for those who have unfortunately been trapped and have been victims in past.
The support group meets often all across UK and provides legal and moral support to such people and their families.
The support group has started an e-petition to the UK government at:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/30913.
http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/9977327.print/
UK MP demands law against dowries
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8093948.stm
FIGHT AGAINST LEGAL TERRORISM IN INDIA ---
http://fight-against-legal-terrorism.blogspot.in/
