What Can a Wife Do If Her Husband Deserts Her and Marries Another Woman Abroad?
Marriage with a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) husband often brings dreams of a happy life abroad. Unfortunately, some women face situations where their husband abandons them and the children in a foreign country and unlawfully marries another woman.
This not only causes emotional trauma but also creates serious legal, financial, and immigration-related challenges.
At Legal Light Consulting (LLC Lawyer), we specialize in helping Indian women navigate these cross-border matrimonial disputes and provide legal remedies in both India and abroad.
Immediate Steps an Abandoned Wife Should Take
If your husband has deserted you and your children abroad, here’s what you should do:
1. Contact Family, Relatives, and Friends
-
Reach out to your family in India or relatives/friends in the foreign country where you are residing.
-
Emotional and logistical support from family is crucial in the initial phase of abandonment.
2. Seek Assistance from the Indian Mission
-
Approach the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate in the foreign country.
-
Indian Missions work closely with empanelled NGOs and local community welfare associations to provide:
-
Guidance on legal rights in the host country
-
Assistance in approaching local police or filing complaints
-
Help in contacting family members in India
-
Legal referrals for divorce, maintenance, or child custody proceedings
-
3. Contact Empanelled NGOs Abroad
-
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has empanelled NGOs across foreign countries to support women in distress.
-
These NGOs can assist with:
-
Legal documentation and representation
-
Counselling and emotional support
-
Liaising with Indian Missions and local authorities
-
The full list of NGOs empanelled with Indian High Commissions/Consulates can be accessed here: MEA – Legal and Financial Assistance for Indian Women Abroad.
Legal Options Available to the Wife
When a husband abandons his wife and remarries abroad, it may amount to:
-
Bigamy under Indian Penal Code (Section 494 IPC) if the marriage was not legally dissolved.
-
Cruelty and desertion, which are valid grounds for divorce under Indian law.
-
Custody and maintenance claims for children and wife.
If the husband is an NRI:
-
A complaint can also be lodged in India, as offences committed abroad can be tried in Indian courts under Section 188 CrPC.
-
Indian courts can issue summons, warrants, and Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against the husband if he tries to evade proceedings.
How Legal Light Consulting Can Help
At Legal Light Consulting – LLC Lawyer, we provide end-to-end legal support for abandoned wives facing such challenges:
-
Filing criminal complaints for bigamy, cruelty, and dowry harassment in India.
-
Assisting in divorce, alimony, and child custody cases across jurisdictions.
-
Coordinating with Indian Embassies and Consulates to access welfare schemes and legal aid abroad.
-
Connecting clients with empanelled NGOs and legal experts overseas.
-
Ensuring that legal rights are enforced in both India and the foreign country.
Conclusion
If your NRI husband deserts you and marries another woman abroad, you are not helpless. Indian law and government-backed welfare mechanisms exist to protect your rights. By seeking help from family, the nearest Indian Mission, and NGOs empanelled with Indian High Commissions, you can begin your fight for justice.
At Legal Light Consulting (LLC Lawyer), we ensure that deserted wives get expert legal representation, emotional support, and cross-border legal remedies.
