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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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