NRIs who harass, abandon their wives may get their passports cancelled

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who harass their wives or desert them could face impoundment or cancellation of their passport if Cental government accepts the recommendations of a high-level panel, Hindustan Times have reported citing an undisclosed source.

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who harass their wives or desert them could face impoundment or cancellation of their passport if Cental government accepts the recommendations of a high-level panel, Hindustan Times have reported citing an undisclosed source.

Once the passport is impounded, the NRI husband — if present in India — won’t be able to leave the country until the case is settled. If abroad, he will have to be deported to India, the report added.

Following several complaints lodged by women deserted by their NRI husbands, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) constituted the committee in May to look into various legal and regulatory challenges and suggest measures to address them.

The panel has also recommended that cases of domestic violence be included in the scope of extradition treaties that India inks with other countries.

Officials in the Union women and child development (WCD) ministry, which is coordinating with the MEA on the issue, said the government is likely to accept the recommendations.

The panel also recommended increasing the financial assistance provided by Indian missions to such women from $3,000 to $6,000. The money is meant to help them avail of counselling and legal services in foreign lands, where they may not have adequate resources or connections.

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