GOVT APPROVES THE INTRODUCTION OF REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE OF NON-RESIDENT INDIAN (NRI) BILL, 2019

Context:

  • The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister approved the introduction of Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Bill, 2019 to create more accountability to Indian citizens living abroad.
  • The bill mainly seeks to offer more protection against the exploitation of Indian citizens, mostly Indian women by their NRI partners.

Salient Features of the Bill:

  • The Bill provides for amendment of the legal framework to act as a deterrent to the erring NRI spouses and creating more accountability and offer protection against exploitation of Indian Citizens, specially women married to NRIs.
  • Under the new bill, a marriage between an NRI and an Indian citizen will have to be registered in India or Indian missions and posts abroad within 30 days from the date of marriage.
  • After the bill’s passing, the necessary changes would be carried out in the Passports Act, 1967 and Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 by insertion of Section 86A.
  • According to the proposed amendments, if the marriage isn’t registered within 30 days, the passport of the NRI will be revoked, summons and warrant be issued.
  • Despite all this, if the NRI fails to appear in court, his properties will be attached and he will be declared ‘Proclaimed Offender’.

Significance of the Bill:

  • The Bill would offer great protection to Indian citizens married to NRIs and serve as a deterrent to NRIs against harassment of their spouses.
  • It is expected to benefit Indian women married to NRIs across the world.
  • The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, solving a major problem of serving judicial summons for court proceedings in India.
  • The bill has been introduced with the hope of restricting NRI husbands from using marriage as a tool of exploitation and making money and providing better enforcement of rights for the deserted woman under the family laws.
  • The introduction of the Bill was necessitated due to numerous complaints received from Indian nationals mostly women, who were deserted or harassed by their Non-Resident Indian Spouses.
  • Since marriage takes place outside India, there are no records or legal documents for further procedures to be initiated against the offender.
  • Hence, once the Bill is passed, such practices will be curbed and it will provide much needed relief to all Indian women married to NRIs worldwide.
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