The Supreme Court on July 3 refused to entertain a PIL seeking 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 Govt. 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 Tiwari.

Asked for research on suicide in the married man

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

"I am seeking a direction to the concerned departments of the govt of India to make necessary report(s) in order to constitute a forum like 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 the facts related to the reason will differ from cases to cases. However, the Court also pointed out that there are adequate norms to address such issues and are not remediless.

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

In the petition, Tiwari has pleaded to issue directions to the Centre to issue proper guidelines to authorities concerned to address the complaint of victims of domestic violence. 

Direction for men under stress

He also said that 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 Right Commission for its proper disposal, till the proper legislation is enacted by the Government of India.

"Issue a direction/ recommendation to the Law Commission India to carry out research on the issue of suicides of married men who are suffering from domestic violence or under family problem 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 people died by suicide worldwide every year.

In the year 2021 in India, 1,64,033 people 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.

Suicide is an emerging health issue in India

"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. 

Suicide rates in India have been rising over the past five decades. Suicides during the year 2021 increased by 7.2% in comparison to previous years with India reporting the highest number of suicides in the world, the petitioner said.

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