Rise in Male Deaths in India Linked to Matrimonial Disputes | KhabriDose
Surge in Male Deaths amid Matrimonial Disputes Grips India
Date: June 29, 2025
By: KhabriDose Team
A disturbing pattern is emerging across India, where a rising number of men—both married and unmarried—are dying under circumstances tied to matrimonial disputes. Reports across multiple states in recent weeks reveal a disturbing mix of homicides, honour killings, domestic violence, and suicides linked to relationship breakdowns.
Homicides Triggered by Love, Divorce & Matrimonial Conflicts
- In Gujarat, a 27‑year‑old man was bludgeoned to death in broad daylight in Jaipur over his inter‑caste marriage, illustrating the ongoing grip of honour‑based vigilante violence.
- In Gorakhpur, a 30‑year‑old named Amit was beaten to death by his own family for marrying a stage dancer against their wishes.
- In Rajkot, brutal murders tied to illicit relationships have surfaced—one man was killed by his lover’s father, another by relatives amid a love triangle.
- Domestic homicide due to slights, suspected affairs, or phone calls to estranged spouses are also being reported, with one 42‑year‑old man killed over calling his separated wife.
Mental Health Toll: Suicides in Matrimonial Strife
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data and court filings illuminate a spike in male suicides triggered by family conflict, marital breakdown, and false allegations:
- Nearly 50% of suicides among young Indians (18‑30) are linked to family, romantic, or marriage-related issues.
- Between 2014 and 2021, male suicide rates climbed by over 33%, compared to under 6% for women—married men were three times more likely to die by suicide than married women in 2021.
- Madhya Pradesh saw at least four husbands die by suicide in just 2½ months, all leaving notes blaming harassment by wives or in-laws.
- The Atul Subhash case in Bengaluru—where a husband died by suicide citing alleged extortion, custody battles, and intimidation—has sparked renewed calls to re-examine spousal cruelty laws.
Underlying Causes & Policy Responses
- Breakdown of Traditional Family Structures
Urbanisation and nuclear families have eroded elder mediation, leading to unresolved disputes brewing in silence. - Misuse of Matrimonial Laws
Courts have flagged a surge in rape and cruelty allegations against male family members, with concerns over weaponising of legal provisions. - Legal and Institutional Gaps
Men’s rights activists argue that existing systems lack gender-neutral protections:- 498A complaints, divorce proceedings, and child custody battles are viewed as biased, driving men to despair.
- Grassroots groups report tens of thousands of monthly complaints by men over domestic harassment, dowry extortion, and false charges.
- Mental Health Crisis
Experts note unresolved marital disputes, feelings of emasculation, and societal expectations often lead to extreme outcomes like suicide or violence.
Calls for Reform & Gender-Neutral Policy
- Supreme Court petitioners urge the creation of a National Commission for Men and specialized helplines.
- Legal commentators advocate for gender-neutral laws to protect all victims of domestic conflict and curb misuse of Section 498A.
- Mental health professionals recommend mandatory counselling, early dispute resolution, and public campaigns to destigmatize male victimhood.
What Lies Ahead
The convergence of familial breakdowns, legal grievances, societal expectations, and mental health stressors is driving a silent crisis. Without swift policy reforms—such as legally sanctioned mediation, helplines for male victims, and mental health outreach—these troubling fatalities are likely to persist.
KhabriDose.com will continue to monitor the situation and demand action. Comprehensive, gender-neutral intervention is no longer optional—it’s imperative.
