Rekha Sharma (File photo)

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Women has received 3,569 complaints since 2009 from women who were deserted by their NRI husbands. A total of 355 complaints were received from Punjab alone during this period.

NCW chief Rekha Sharma said that the commission will push for stringent punitive measures against NRI husbands who desert their Indian wives. "An analysis of data reveals harassment and ill treatment in many ways, including abandonment, loss of communication with spouse upon leaving India, brief holiday-marriages and cheating," Sharma said at the National Seminar on 'NRI Marriage Related Issues in Punjab' held in Jalandhar.

"Matrimonial advertisements by parents often highlight their daughters' qualifications and background when seeking NRI grooms. They don't conduct detailed verification or cross-check background for grooms," she said.

Over 20 women deserted by their NRI husbands participated in the seminar. Officials from Punjab NRI commission, police, district and state administration, local body representatives and civil society organisations were part of the seminar.

Among various measures being planned to crack down on absconding NRI husbands, the government is also working on detterence.

