Support and help of the NCW and Its NRI Cell
The National Commission for Women (NCW) is the apex national-level organization in India that is mandated to protect and promote the interests of women. Following a recommendation from the Parliamentary Committee on the Empowerment of Women, the NCW was designated as the central coordinating agency to address the plight of Indian women deserted by their NRI husbands.
Its specialized NRI Cell was formally inaugurated on September 24, 2009, specifically to manage these complaints
Seeking Help from the National Commission for Women (NCW): A Lifeline for Indian Women in NRI Marriages
The NRI Cell provides a crucial point of contact for victims, who can make a complaint from anywhere in the world. Its primary function is to serve as a bridge between the victim and various authorities to ensure a coordinated response
Legal Light Consulting – Trusted Legal Advisors for NRIs Worldwide
Marriages involving Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can offer exciting cross-cultural opportunities—but they also come with unique legal and emotional challenges. Unfortunately, cases of abandonment, abuse, and fraud by NRI spouses are on the rise. For women facing such distress, the National Commission for Women (NCW) in New Delhi serves as a powerful ally.
At Legal Light Consulting, we guide NRI clients and their families through legal remedies available in India. This article explains how the NCW supports women deserted by NRI husbands, and how you can approach its dedicated NRI Cell for help—no matter where in the world you reside.
What Is the National Commission for Women (NCW)?
The NCW is India’s apex statutory body tasked with protecting and promoting the rights of women. In response to growing concerns about NRI marital disputes, the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women (14th Lok Sabha) recommended that NCW act as the national coordinating agency for such cases.
As a result, the NRI Cell within NCW was formally inaugurated on 24th September 2009 to handle complaints from Indian women affected by NRI marriages.
Who Can Approach NCW?
Any woman of Indian origin who is facing issues such as:
- Abandonment by an NRI husband
- Fraudulent marriage or concealment of marital status
- Domestic violence or emotional abuse
- Non-payment of maintenance or child support
- Passport-related complications due to marital disputes
You can file a complaint from any corner of the world, and the NRI Cell will take appropriate action based on the nature of your grievance.
Contact Details of NCW’s NRI Cell
| Contact Point | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address | NRI Cell – National Commission for Women, 4, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi – 110002 |
| ☎️ Telephone | +91-11-23234918 |
| 📠 Fax | +91-11-23236154 / 6988 |
| nricell-ncw@nic.in |
Actions NCW May Take on Your Complaint
Depending on the case, the NRI Cell may initiate one or more of the following steps:
- Issue Notices or Summons to the respondent husband or concerned authorities, asking them to reply or appear before NCW
- Forward Complaints to Police Authorities for investigation or to obtain action-taken reports
- Coordinate with Indian Embassies Abroad for intervention and support
- Refer Cases to Ministries such as External Affairs, Home Affairs, and Law & Justice to expedite summons, warrants, or court orders
- Inform Passport Authorities in cases involving passport misuse or revocation
- Notify Employers of the Respondent Husband if disciplinary action is warranted
Legal Light Consulting can assist in drafting your complaint, compiling evidence, and coordinating with NCW and other authorities for swift action.
How the NCW’s NRI Cell Can Help
The NRI Cell takes a multi-pronged approach to address the grievances of affected women. Based on the nature of the complaint, the cell can take several actions:
- Issue Notices and Summons: The NCW can issue official notices and summons to the accused or other relevant parties, compelling them to respond to the complaint.
- Liaise with Law Enforcement: It forwards complaints to police authorities to ensure proper investigation and to seek action-taken reports. This helps to overcome potential inaction by local police stations.
- Coordinate with Indian Embassies: The cell forwards complaints to Indian Embassies abroad, which can then take action at their end, such as mediating or providing local assistance to the victim.
- Engage Government Ministries: The NCW can escalate matters to the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Law and Justice to expedite the serving of legal documents like summons or warrants issued by Indian courts.
- Contact Passport Authorities and Employers: In cases where the husband has abandoned his wife and is residing abroad, the NCW can contact passport authorities to facilitate the impounding of his passport. It can also approach the husband’s employers to inform them of the situation
How Legal Light Consulting Supports You
As one of India’s leading law firms for NRI legal matters, Legal Light Consulting offers:
- Legal drafting and documentation for NCW complaints
- Representation in family and criminal courts
- Coordination with Indian Missions and NCW’s NRI Cell
- Strategic advice on maintenance, custody, and marital fraud
- Support with passport, immigration, and repatriation issues
We serve clients across North America, Europe, GCC countries, and Asia-Pacific, offering culturally sensitive and legally sound solutions.
Need Help Filing a Complaint?
If you’re an Indian woman facing distress in an NRI marriage, don’t hesitate. Contact Legal Light Consulting today for a confidential consultation. Our experienced lawyers will guide you through the process of approaching NCW and securing your rights.
This article is for educational purposes only. For personalized legal advice, book an appointment with LLC Lawyers.
