Suicides by married men: SC refuses to entertain plea for setting up of 'National Commission for Men'

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a PIL seeking the framing of guidelines to deal with suicide by married men subjected to domestic violence and the constitution of a 'National Commission for Men' to safeguard their interests.

The Supreme Court, however, granted the petitioner-cum-lawyer, Mahesh Tiwari, the liberty to pursue representation with the Government of India, after which he withdrew his petition.

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Surya Kant and also comprising Justice Dipankar Dutta, refused to entertain the plea filed by Advocate Tiwari.

The petition sought to carry out research on the issue of suicides by married men suffering from various issues, including domestic violence.

"I am seeking a direction to the departments of the government of India concerned to make the necessary report in order to constitute a forum like the National Commission For Men or any such other forum where the aggrieved can approach for redressal of their grievances," Tiwari said.

The Apex Court also remarked that no one wants to commit suicide, and it depends on the facts related to each case.

However, the Court also pointed out that there are adequate norms to address such issues and that they are not remediless.

The court also said there should not be a question of misplaced sympathy for anyone and asked the petitioner if she would be able to give data on young girls dying soon after marriage.

In the petition, Tiwari pleaded to issue a direction to the Centre to issue proper guidelines to the authorities concerned to address the complaints of victims of domestic violence.

He also said a direction be made to the authorities for those who are under stress due to family problems and marriage related issues and refer the same to the State Human Rights Commission for its proper disposal, until proper legislation is enacted by the Government of India.

"Issue a direction or recommendation to the Law Commission of India to carry out research on the issue of suicides of married men who are suffering from domestic violence or family problems and marriage-related issues," the plea said.

Citing the rapid increase in the suicide ratio of men in the country due to family problems, the petitioner submitted that about 80,00,000 (Eight Lakh) people die by suicide worldwide every year.

In the year 2021 in India, 1,64,033 (One Lakh Sixty Four Thousand Thirty Three) people have committed suicide, according to the data provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

The rate of suicide is 12 per one lakh population which is the highest rate of deaths from suicide since 1967, the petition said.

"According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) report, suicide is an emerging and serious public health issue in India," the plea said.

The suicide rate per 1,00,000 people compared to other countries is 10.5 per 1,00,000 while the suicide rate for the world as a whole is 11.6 per 1,00,000 people, the plea said.

The suicide rate in India has been rising over the past five decades. Suicides during the year 2021 increased by 7.2 percent in comparison to previous years, with India reporting the highest number of suicides in the world, the petitioner said. (UNI)