Sana Kauser, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: The recent suicides of Manav Sharma, Atul Subhash and Nishant Tripathi (son of a women’s rights activist) have ignited a debate on domestic violence against men and the alleged misuse of protective laws. These cases have also raised serious concerns about the lack of legal protection for men who experience harassment in marriages and relationships.
Legal professionals and activists maintain that while legislation to safeguard women against domestic violence is necessary, its potential misuse has led to legal and psychological trauma for many men.
Sagar Gunthal, a counselor at the Save India Family Foundation (SIFF), said, “Laws targeting one gender are not laws but weapons. These laws are exploited by some women to force men to stay in abusive relationships or marriages.”
The debate around gender-neutral laws gained momentum after recent court battles fought by men charged under women-protecting laws.
Sachin Shinde, a 36-year-old Pune resident, was falsely accused of molestation under Sections of 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) by his sister-in-law. It took him four years to clear his name.
“Who will give me back my dignity? I lost four years of my life fighting this false case,” Shinde said. His case is just one of many where men have struggled to clear their names in legal disputes related to domestic violence.
Nikunj Shah, 41, from Pune, has been fighting his case since 2022 after his wife accused him of harassment, unnatural sex, dowry demands and abuse when he refused to leave his parents’ home. Despite proving the allegations false, Shah continues to pay Rs 15,000 per month as maintenance.
His estranged wife also admitted their son to an expensive school in Indore without consulting him. “I have not seen my son for the past 2.5 years. When I requested visitation rights before agreeing to pay for his school fees, the judge denied it, saying, ‘Such things are not permitted in my court’,” Shah alleged.
Piyush Jain, an advocate and activist who runs the Save Men Foundation, emphasised the need for gender-neutral laws.
“Men today are suffering in silence. The oppression and violence against them are real. Many are falsely accused of harassment, dowry and domestic violence. While courts should be neutral, there is a growing perception that they favor women in such cases,” Jain said.
He pointed out that Section 84 of the BNS and domestic violence laws have been increasingly misused, leaving men with little legal recourse.
Legal battles involving men falsely accused of domestic violence are mounting.
Pratyush (name changed), who has been married for five years, filed for divorce on the grounds of mental cruelty. His advocate, Jain, stated once men are accused in such cases, it is difficult for them to free themselves legally.
Another case involves Divya Mahajan and Amit Singh, whose marriage ended just 10 days after the wedding. Amit was accused of domestic violence, harassment and dowry demands, despite his wife sending false allegations of extramarital affairs to his office. It took years for him to clear his name in court.
The case gained prominence after cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal’s well-publicised divorce, which was reportedly marred by alimony issues. The case has reignited debate regarding financial settlements during divorce proceedings, where men often bear the responsibility for maintenance, even when acquitted of any wrongdoing.
The suicides and legal struggles of men accused under domestic violence laws have intensified calls for judicial reforms. Legal experts suggest making laws gender-neutral to ensure that both men and women receive justice.
“Indian laws are not gender-neutral. Women facing domestic violence have legal protection, but men do not. Courts should analyse both sides impartially rather than leaning towards one gender,” Jain added.
The debate on male victims of domestic violence is growing, but legal and social acknowledgment remains scarce. Laws such as Section 498A of the IPC (now Section 86 of the BNS) predominantly safeguard women. Experts argue that social norms discourage men from speaking out about abuse because they fear ridicule and stigma. As a result, many male victims silently endure, leading to severe mental health issues, including suicide.
The case of Manav Sharma, a 25-year-old manager at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has struck a chord on social media. Sharma, who committed suicide in Agra on February 24, left a video message prior to his death, urging society to understand the plight of men in abusive relationships.
“Please, someone should talk about men. They get extremely lonely,” he said in the video, which went viral.
Similarly, 34-year-old IT professional Atul Subhash took his own life in December 2024, leaving behind a 24-page suicide note explaining the emotional abuse by his wife and the baseless legal complaints that led him to despair. As more men share their experiences, activists and legal experts are urging policymakers to address the issue and push for legislative changes to ensure justice for all.
For those experiencing mental health issues, helplines such as Sneha Foundation (044-24640050), Tele Manas (14416) and iCall by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (022-25521111) are available for support.