Thursday, 25 July 2013

Now 498a helpline for harassed men




KOZHIKODE: A legal aid centre formed by victims of dowry law (IPC498A) and other anti-men laws is launching a helpline for clients. The JanamithramJanakeeyaNeethiVedi, launched three years ago, promises that the service will be available round the clock from August 11.
The facility, offering legal aid and steps to tackle fabricated cases, will be launched in Malayalam in the first phase. The helpline numbers will be  Phone: (855)-WHY-498A




Vedi president M A Ibrahim Ravuthar said the increasing instances of misuse of laws, anti-men directives of family courts and the new amendment to Hindu Marriage Act had forced the 5,000-member-strong organization to launch the helpline. "The number of educated women misusing IPC section 498A to harass their husbands and other relatives is on the rise. We are looking to help such people," he said.
The genuineness of cases will be verified with the help of organization members in the respective districts. Legal aid to face fabricated cases will be provided to only those whose claims are found to be genuine in the verification process.


"The organization will also seek to work like mediators for the speedy disposal of cases. We have already contacted similar organisations in other states to work together. The helpline can benefit even those who don't know whom to approach for help,'' Ravuthur said.
"We will also provide legal aid with the help of police and state legal services authority,'' he added.

 

What is 498a?

Indian Penal Code 498a allows a woman and her family to make a written false complaint of dowry harassment to the police which results in the husband, his parents and relatives being immediately arrested without sufficient investigation and put behind bars without bail. Even if the 498a threat is false, you are presumed guilty until proven innocent.
498a can only be invoked by the wife or her relative. Most 498a cases are mere blackmail attempts by the wife or her close relatives. In most cases, a demand for a large sum of money is offered to the husband in exchange for settlement of the case out of court. There have been countless instances where, without any investigation, the police have arrested elderly parents, unmarried sisters, pregnant sister-in-laws and even 3 year old children. A typical case takes approximately 5-7 years and the conviction rate is only 2%.
There are fundamental problems with 498a in that it is 100% gender biased and singles out men as perpetrators of domestic violence and assumes that only women are victims.
In the United States domestic violence laws are gender neutral and provide protection to the victims, both men and women. If you reside in the United States please call us at (855)-WHY-498A today to set up an appointment with Mrs. Desai to provide you with a plan of action. 
Orange County Office:
3111 N. Tustin St., Suite 200
Orange, CA 92865

Long Beach Office:
3605 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 300
Long Beach, CA 90807

St. Louis Office:
8711 St. Charles Rock Road
St. Louis, MO 63114

Contact Information

Phone: (855)-WHY-498A
Fax: (714)-637-1713
Email: info@498alawyer.com
Web: www.498alawyer.com
 

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