The Supreme Court’s recent dismissal of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a review of dowry and domestic violence laws is an alarming reflection of the judiciary’s apathy toward the growing number of male victims of domestic abuse in India. The PIL, filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, called for an expert committee to address the abuse of laws meant to protect women but often exploited to torment innocent men and their families. In the wake of the tragic suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, whose final note accused his wife and her family of misusing these laws for extortion, the petition sought the Court’s intervention to bring about reform. However, the bench led by Hon’ble Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma rejected the plea, reiterating that such reforms should be left to Parliament.
This decision disregards the harsh realities many men face under the shadow of laws like Section 498A (IPC) and the Domestic Violence Act. While these laws were meant to protect women from abuse, their frequent misuse has become an urgent concern. Men, who are often wrongfully implicated in dowry cases and domestic violence accusations, face immense psychological and social trauma. Atul Subhash’s tragic end is just one of countless instances where lives are ruined due to false accusations, which are further compounded by a lack of penalties for false complaints.
By rejecting the PIL, the Supreme Court has effectively silenced the voices of those who are victims of the very laws designed for protection. The stance that “society must change” while disregarding the role of the judiciary in steering that change is paradoxical. The Court’s reluctance to address the misuse of these laws directly contradicts its role in safeguarding the rights of all citizens, regardless of gender. The observation that it’s Parliament’s duty to reform laws, while accurate, overlooks the fact that the judiciary has a responsibility to highlight systemic flaws and protect individuals from miscarriages of justice.
The Supreme Court’s comment that “society must change” is an oversimplified view. The justice system, which must reflect the evolving needs of society, must also be responsive to instances where laws are being manipulated. Recent data and cases, including Atul Subhash’s video, reveal how these laws have become tools for extortion rather than instruments of justice. The judiciary must not merely stand by and watch but take proactive steps in addressing such abuses.
What is most disturbing in this case is the Court’s apparent disregard for the mental toll and harm caused to men and their families by such legal abuses. Families are torn apart, reputations destroyed, and careers derailed, with little recourse for those wrongly accused. This disregard contributes to the growing problem of male suicides linked to domestic disputes and false legal cases. The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene sends the wrong message—one that fails to acknowledge the need for balanced protection under the law for both genders.
For years, the abuse of laws meant to protect women has gone largely unchallenged, while the cases of men suffering in silence have been swept under the rug. The Court’s dismissal of this PIL only strengthens the argument that gender biases within the legal system need to be addressed head-on.
Case details: VISHAL TIWARI v. UNION OF INDIA AND ANR., W.P.(C) No. 25/2025
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