Pic by Umesh Marpally
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 7: Santhoshkumar Bhagwana Potdar from Thelasangha village of Belgaum, in a press meet, claimed that he was fighting against the misuse of IPC Section 498A. He said that he was tortured by his first wife.

Speaking to the media persons, he said that most of the dowry harassment case complaints are lodged by women. In some instances, women are making false claims of torture and violence under this law. He wanted the law to be made non-cognizable and bailable.

Potdar has done his post graduation in MSW, MA (Psy), (PGDCA), Ph.D., and is a medical consultant and social activist. Being a victim of domestic violence, he demanded the creation of a national men’s committee for welfare of victims.

Potdar counsels other victims like himself and their families. He said that he would like to re-open old cases of those who were punished by a court of law. According to him, negligence, misbehavior and verbal assault are punishable offences. He said that misuse of the law was not a problem of the law but of the police and judiciary.

Lastly, he wants to make remedies in IPC Section 498A. He is badly frustrated by the attitude of his first wife. So, he is seeking justice against her. He has planned to undertake an ‘Andolan’ from Belgaum to New Delhi by foot. It will be a historical awareness campaign of 2,500 km. There are 40 various social organizations involved in the awareness programme.

Now that he is married for a second time, he said that his present wife supports him in everything. “Sometimes an innocent man can be a victim. Unfortunately, there is no such law that enables a man to lodge a complaint against cruel women. I would to like to submit a copy of my demands to the Prime Minister of India,” concluded Potdar.