A number of married women of the State are misusing laws meant for protection from domestic violence. Interestingly, the cases are reported more in the State capital. The fact was disclosed by Jharkhand State Commission for Women (JSCW) members on Friday.

Sources at the Commission mention that in the year 2013-14, around 233 applications of domestic violence cases were submitted of which maximum are false. The situation is not exactly same in the 59 applications filed for dowry and 60 applications of sexual harassment.

“In the recent scenario, we are coming across married women who prefer staying with parents after marriage instead of living with in-laws and husband. Some even keep their children with them. When the in-laws or husband requests to stay together, they blame them with false allegations like physical abuse or threat,” said JSCW Chairperson Mahua Maji.

In such circumstances, it is becoming difficult for the commission to counsel both the sides.

“Sometimes, the husband calls us after midnight and seeks shelter because the moment he enters home, the wife threatens him to cut her wrist if he does not allows her to stay with her parents or insists her to stay with him,” added Maji.

Also, Maji receives complains when a wife blames her mother-in-law having illegal relation with her son.

“In some cases, the children tell us that their mother is acting,” said Maji.

“Tackling these cases is not an easy task. There is a need of making amendments in the Domestic Violence (DV) Act and 498 A,” pointed Maji and another member of the JSCW Shabnam Parveen.

Sources at JSCW who have been associated with the Commission said the complains were not similar then.

“We are shocked to find violation in Domestic Violence laws,” an offcial said.

JSCW members felt it is due to this reason that Court has made it mandatory to verify cases of Domestic Violence in order to justify the truth.

“Most of the women are now aware of various laws meant for their gender. This is turning dangerous,” Maji said.

Social Activist Aloka working in the field of women development in an NGO felt JSCW’s observation is accurate.

“Few days back, wife of a businessman in Upper Chutia and another wife in Purulia Road were found violating DV Act. After an inquiry, husbands of both these ladies were found innocent. A clause of statement of neighbours and relatives should be added in DV Act,” said Aloka.