'3,500 women abandoned by NRI husbands in last 9 yrs'

Over 3,500 complaints of women who were deserted by their NRI husbands have been received by the National Commission for Women in the last nine years, Chairperson Rekha Sharma said on Monday.

A total of 355 complaints were received from Punjab during this period.

The number of complaints from Punjab received by NRI Cell of the NCW peaked in 2017, constituting the highest proportion among all the states, she said in a statement.

"An analysis of data reveals harassment and ill-treatment in many ways, including abandonment, loss of communication with spouse upon leaving India, brief holiday-marriages and cheating," she said at the National Seminar on 'NRI Marriage Related Issues in Punjab' held in Jalandar.

Sharma emphasised on the need for background verification of NRI grooms.

"Matrimonial advertisements by parents often highlight their daughters’ qualifications and background when seeking NRI grooms. They don’t conduct detailed verification or cross-check background for grooms," she said.

About 3569 complaints of women deserted by their NRI husbands has been received in the last nine years, she said.

Over 20 women deserted by their NRI husbands participated in the seminar and presented recommendations to stakeholders.

Besides officials from the SGPC, Punjab NRI Commission, Police, District and State administration, local body representatives and civil society organisations, over 1200 students also participated in the seminar, according to the statement.