Look out circular against accused in NRI matrimonial disputes

An inter-ministerial body on disputes in NRI marriages decided today that five such cases were fit for issuance of look out circular (LOC) against the accused, the Women and Child Development Ministry said in a release.

The third meeting of the Integrated Nodal Agency (INA), under the chairpersonship of secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), was held today and based on the deliberations during the meeting the decision was taken to issue the LOCs.

The INA also deliberated on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline the process of dealing with the cases of NRI matrimonial disputes.

The SOPs will also define the responsibility of concerned authorities with specified timelines and would keep the women informed on the progress, the release said.

"The SOP will enable the women facing such disputes to seek redressal in a time-bound manner. Women can now approach MWCD for the purpose of tracing her NRI husband by having an LOC issued," WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi said.

In criminal matter involving NRI's, LOC could be issued by the investigating agency in cognizable offences, when the overseas husband is deliberately evading arrest or not appearing in the trial court despite non-bailable warrants and other coercive measures or there is a likelihood that he will leave the country to evade trial or arrest.

The LoC will be issued after having the case scrutinised by NCW.

The government has been receiving complaints of frauds, abandonment, domestic violence, extra-marital relationships, ex-parte divorce, being duped of money after promising marriage, forceful/illegal retention of children's custody, non-payment of maintenance.

A large number of NRI matrimonial dispute cases remained pending on account of non-appearance of the perpetrator jeopardising women and children's future. The INA was constituted to work on the issues related to NRI matrimonial dispute. Consequently, three meetings of INA have been conducted since January 2018.