RAIPUR: National Coalition for Men has opposed Centre’s move to make anti-dowry law, 498-A of IPC, compoundable saying that it could amount to legalizing extortion by estranged wives and demanded that this law be made bailable to prevent its misuse.

Talking to reporters here, organisation’s national convener Amit Gupta pointed out that almost all courts, including Supreme Court, have raised concern over misuse of anti-dowry law 498-a of Indian Penal Code over the years.

He said subsequently the government had set up committees to study and suggest amendments to prevent its misuse. Pointing out that Justice Malimath committee’s report has recommended that this law must be made bailable, he said Centre’s move is bound to have more negative consequences as it will pass the control of filing and withdrawing cases under this draconian law in hands of estranged wives. Besides, a case which is easier to withdraw will be used as a tool for extortion by the litigants.

Claiming that there is no empirical data to prove that compoundability will decrease misuse, Gupta said in fact, Andhra Pradesh is a ready example of how compoundability increases the cases and fake cases as well. A total of 1,73,180 cases of IPC 498A were registered nationwide in 2001 and the figure touched a humongous 3,57,347 in 2010 registering an increase of 106.34%.

Meanwhile in the same period, Andhra Pradesh which had 11,423 cases in 2001 jumped an unimaginable 151.95% to 28,780 cases. Conviction rate in Andhra Pradesh has dropped from 20.5% in 2001 to 12.1% in 2011 (over 8% drop) while National average went to 22.2% in 2001 to 20.2% in 2011 (2% drop). Thus for Andhra Pradesh, cases increased 150% while conviction rate fell by 400% as compared to national average after making the offence compoundable.

“Less tolerant, impulsive woman may lodge an FIR even on a trivial act. The result is that the husband and his family may be immediately arrested and there may be a suspension or loss of job. The offence alleged being non-bailable, innocent persons languish in custody,” the report stated.