Fraud Prevention: Tougher Rules For NRIs Marrying Indians

Describing as a “worrisome trend” the “rising” cases of fraudulent marriages between NRIs and Indian citizens, the Law Commission has recommended a comprehensive law to deal with the situation and compulsory registration of such alliances.

As per the Law Commission’s recommendation, the registration of all marriages between NRIs/OCIs and Indian citizens in India should be made mandatory to prevent occurrences such as false promises, misrepresentation, and abandonment.

During the presentation of the report titled “Law on Matrimonial Issues Relating to Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India” to the law ministry, Justice (Retd) Ritu Raj Awasthi, the chairman of the panel, expressed the commission’s viewpoint that the envisioned central legislation should be thorough enough to address all aspects concerning marriages involving NRIs and foreign citizens of Indian origin with Indian citizens.

Justice Awasthi wrote in the cover letter to Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, “The rising occurrence of fraudulent marriages involving non-resident Indians (NRIs) marrying Indian partners is a worrisome trend. Several reports highlight an increasing pattern where these marriages turn out to be deceptive, putting Indian spouses, especially women, in precarious situations.”