Case in point

Forty-five days was all that the lovely Alka was married for. And in just over a month the young woman “saw hell.” Married to an NRI from USA,through a regular matrimonial advertisement,Alka recalls that the wedding was finalized in a few days’ time,as everything seemed hunky-dory. “How was I to know what hell awaited me at my in-laws’ home in Kalka,where I was treated like a household help,not allowed to call my parents,go out,talk to anyone. As for my husband,as soon as he left for the US,he was a completely changed man,who turned around and said that if I wanted a visa to join him,he would need Rs eight lakh,’’ Alka finally figured out what the ‘deal’ was all about. Getting out of that house was an ordeal,and when she finally managed to,she filed an FIR,charging desertion,“I was aghast to know that the case was dismissed by default and money power really worked,’’ it was then that Alka decided to pursue her LLB and not just fight for herself,but also for thousands of other girls in the same situation.

Now practicing law for some years,Alka realizes that for many NRIs getting married in India is a great way to earn some extra money to pay off loans back there and as far as Indians go,their craze for being in foreign land makes them overlook basic security issues,“they are like migratory birds,come in winter and leave their partners behind. For them these are holiday wives or these girls are taken there and treated like maids and the worst is,in the law,this is no crime,’’ Alka’s fight is not only for herself,as she’s taking up cases of many such girls,all free of cost. The need of the hour,says the lawyer is to make girls aware of their rights,this racket,“all deserted wives have to join hands,crying is of no use,we need to speak out and use the law for our protection and expose such people who are minting money,’’ Alka is all set to form an association or NGO to educate these girls and counsel them as well. “The NRI Cell and a website on this issue is a must and I am going to take the cause further,’’ Alka hopes for support.