As cases continue to surface, the issue highlights the urgent need for stronger safeguards to ensure that marriage to an NRI does not become a lifetime burden for Indian women left behind
Punjab has emerged as one of the regions reporting a high number of distress cases involving Indian women married to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Social welfare departments, legal aid cells, and women’s rights groups indicate that many of these marriages, often seen as pathways to economic stability and overseas settlement, are instead turning into prolonged struggles marked by abandonment, legal battles, and social stigma.
For many families, an NRI match is perceived as prestigious, promising a better quality of life abroad. However, complaints reveal that the reality frequently diverges sharply from expectations. In numerous cases, husbands return overseas soon after the wedding, sometimes within weeks, assuring their brides that visa formalities and relocation will follow. For many women, those promises remain unfulfilled, leaving them stranded in India without emotional, financial, or legal support.
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This abandonment often places women in an extremely vulnerable position
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With husbands living abroad and communication gradually ceasing, they are left to navigate uncertainty alone
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Financial dependence, lack of clarity about marital status, and absence of spousal support deepen their distress, especially in socially conservative environments where separated women face scrutiny and judgment
Seeking justice presents another layer of hardship. Women who approach courts or police stations encounter procedural delays and jurisdictional complications, as cases involving spouses overseas require international coordination. Even when neglect, cruelty, or fraud can be substantiated, enforcing court orders, securing maintenance, or serving legal notices becomes a prolonged and exhausting process. Activists point out that gaps in laws governing NRI marriages worsen the situation, as marriages are not always registered in a manner that enables effective legal follow-up.
Beyond legal challenges, social pressures further silence many victims. Families often urge women to endure the situation to avoid perceived dishonor, discouraging them from speaking out or seeking help. This societal stigma adds to psychological trauma and isolation, making recovery and reintegration difficult.
Women’s rights organizations in Punjab are increasingly calling for systemic reforms. Key demands include mandatory registration of NRI marriages, stricter verification of overseas grooms, faster court procedures, and bilateral legal cooperation mechanisms. Awareness campaigns and pre-marital counseling are also being advocated to help families make informed decisions.
