While marriages with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) offer new horizons, they also bring potential legal, emotional, and social pitfalls. These problems often stem from mismatched expectations, legal loopholes, and fraudulent intentions.

• False claims of residency, employment, or citizenship
• Abandonment after marriage and leaving the spouse behind in India
• Dowry harassment or demands after relocation
• Non-registration of marriage abroad leading to legal complications
• Isolation, domestic violence, and lack of support in foreign countries

Victims often face challenges in accessing legal remedies due to international jurisdiction issues, limited awareness, and absence of bilateral agreements for swift justice.

It is crucial to be aware of the warning signs and ensure that all necessary documentation, verification, and legal procedures are followed before entering into such marriages.

Common Legal and Social Issues

Many NRI spouses use legal complexities and international distances to avoid accountability. These problems are compounded by a lack of support for abandoned spouses, particularly women, who may face social stigma, financial distress, and legal hurdles.

• Bigamy: NRI husbands remarry abroad without divorcing the Indian spouse
• Custody Battles: Children taken abroad without consent
• Property Disputes: Joint assets misused or illegally transferred
• Passport Confiscation: Using immigration control to isolate or pressure spouses

Who is Most Affected?

• Young women from semi-urban/rural areas with limited awareness
• Families lured by promises of a foreign lifestyle
• Children born into unstable or undocumented NRI marriages
• Women left in legal limbo without proper divorce or spousal support

Awareness is the first line of defense. If you or someone you know is facing issues in an NRI marriage, contact legal professionals, women's rights organizations, and Indian embassies abroad for timely help.

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