The PIL submits before the top court that dowry and domestic violence laws were introduced to protect women, but that they were being weaponised to harass husbands and in-laws.
The PIL has sought an expert committee under a retired SC judge, comprising retired judges, lawyers and eminent jurists.
The PIL wants the expert panel to “review and reform the existing dowry and domestic violence laws and give suggestions to prevent their misuse”.
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The PIL also proposes that at the time of registration of every marriage, a detailed account of gifts or money exchanged should be maintained and submitted in a formal affidavit. The PIL asks for a formal record of gifts and money exchanged during marriage should be maintained with the marriage registration.
Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old techie, was discovered dead on December 9.
He had left a 24-page suicide note and a 90-minute video, detailing allegations of harassment and extortion at the hands of his wife and her family.
The note also alleged that the judge hearing the case had asked for ₹5 lakhs to “settle” the case.
The note flagged how the wife had sought ₹2 lakh per month as maintenance.
In the video, Subhash lamented, “My wife will keep my child alienated and file more cases to harass me, my elderly parents, and my brother, using the money I pay her as maintenance. Instead of using it for our child’s welfare, she is weaponizing it against us.”
